Flagey police station closed on Sundays

The Flagey police station in Ixelles is no longer open on Sundays as of September 1, RTBF announced yesterday on its website. The closure, effective for two months, is part of a pilot project and could be extended to other police stations in the Brussels Capital region. The decision by the commune of Ixelles is explained by the lack of attendance of several police stations and would therefore allow for savings, the broadcaster said. Work is more expensive on Sundays, and idle officers could be sent back on the beat. Should the scheme prove successful, it could be extended to other underused police stations. Ixelles’ mais police station, on Place Fernand Cocq, will remain accessible 24/7 throughout the trial period, the commune announced on its website.The home affairs minister, Joëlle Milquet, opposes the project, which she deems contrary to "the logic of policing"; she added that she would remind mayor Willy Decourty (pictured) of his election promise to keep all police stations open 24/7.