Crime on the decline across Belgium

The federal and local police in Belgium reported a total of 956,297 criminal offenses last year, a decrease of 3.7% compared to 2013. Crime rates were highest in the Brussels-Capital Region and in Flanders, writes persinfo.org.

Incidences of crime in Belgium have been steadily decreasing since 2011, but it is the first time that the police speak of a downward trend, which continued into the first quarter of 2015. According to the police, the decline has to do with an increase in police presence in the streets, as well as a general downward trend across Western Europe.

The deployment of additional police agents in and around public transport hubs is directly linked to a 14% reduction in the crime rates in those areas. A combination of increased police presence and the improved security efforts of banks, restaurants and retailers, have also had a positive effect, namely a sharp reduction in the number of armed robberies. The number of car thefts and break-ins also continues to drop.

The police point out that there is more collaboration with other national and international, public and private partners. Drug-related crimes, for example, are on the decline as a direct result of increased cooperation between the Belgian port authorities and foreign police forces.

Minister for security and internal affairs Jan Jambon said, "I want to thank all of the police officers who have stepped up to achieve these great results. In the coming years, we want to maintain our strong public presence through community policing."

photo: brusselspictures.com