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Drivers fined for leaving cars unlocked

22:06 14/04/2019

Police in Zaventem have been carrying out spot checks on parked cars - and sending out €58 fines to drivers who have forgotten to lock their vehicle.

Leaving a vehicle unlocked in public is a highway code offence. Article 8.5 says that "where a vehicle has an anti-theft device, it should be used".

Police officers tried opening 136 car doors during a routine patrol in the Sint-Stevens-Woluwe neighbourhood last week. Nine cars were unlocked.

The "neighbourhood scan" is a routine exercise by local police aimed at preventing theft by alerting residents to security lapses.

"We try to visit every neighbourhood at least once a year," said local police chief Jean-Pierre Van Thienen. "These exercises often produce good results and discourage potential thieves. Anyone who does not lock their vehicle makes it easy for people with bad intentions."

The area is prone to burglaries and 31 homeowners were sent a written warning about leaving windows open.

Written by The Bulletin