Security: anti-drug commissioner, €10M for stations, stable crime rate

Regional Security Council — strikes on Iran (4 March 2026)

On 4 March 2026, the minister-president convened the Regional Security Council (CORES) following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. The meeting brought together the 19 Brussels mayors, 6 police zone chiefs, the Brussels King's Prosecutor and OCAM representatives.

Belgium's threat level remains at level 3 of 4 ("serious"), unchanged since 16 October 2023. Particular attention is being paid to Israeli, American and Iranian interests on Belgian territory. Police reinforcements were deployed from the preceding weekend.

This was the first activation of CORES under the Dilliès government. Strengthening the Regional Security Council is part of the government accord.

Sources: BX1, DH (4-5 March 2026).

safe.brussels report: state of crime (2024 data)

The annual report of the Brussels Security Observatory (safe.brussels), published on 22 December 2025, provides a factual basis for assessing the RPD's priorities:

Reading: overall crime is not "exploding" in Brussels -- the per-capita rate is declining thanks to population growth (+7.4%). But specific phenomena (drugs, firearms, sexual violence) are rising sharply, which justifies the RPD's targeted priorities (anti-drug commissioner, station security).

Sources: safe.brussels, 2024 annual report (Dec 2025); DH, "la criminalité à Bruxelles n'explose pas" (Jan 2026).

RPD commitments

The Regional Policy Declaration of 13 February 2026 devotes an entire chapter to security, structured around several axes:

Anti-drug efforts

• Regional anti-drug commissioner — dedicated authority, mirroring the federal mechanism
• Integrated regional drug plan — chain approach (prevention, harm reduction, enforcement)

Station security

• €10 million investment for Midi and Nord stations
• Coordination with police zones and SNCB

CCTV and police coordination

• Integration of local CCTV systems into the Federal Police central system
• SAFE.Brussels platform interconnected with CGPI
• Possible police zone mergers (subject to federal vote)
• Local neighbourhood policing stations

SIAMU (fire service)

• Two phases of staff reinforcement
• Improved working conditions
• Federal dotation tripled: the Chamber voted on 5 March 2026 to increase funding from EUR 5.7 to 15.4 million/year, correcting a discrimination identified by the Constitutional Court in 2022. Annual indexation from 2027

Other measures

• Dedicated recruitment pathway for security professions targeting Brussels residents
• Combating street harassment, juvenile delinquency, violence against women and children
• Combating drug trafficking and radicalisation

First field action: Gare du Midi (17 February)

Three days after taking office, the minister-president made his first field visit to the Gare du Midi (Brussels South station), accompanied by the State Secretary for Urban Planning and the mayors of Anderlecht and Forest. His assessment: "there is room for improvement in coordination" between the actors present on site (local police zones, Federal Police, SNCB, Stib, communes).

This visit puts into practice the RPD's security priority and illustrates the coordination challenge underlying the €10 million earmarked for securing the Midi and Nord stations.

Additional security commitments (RPD, chapter 7)

The RPD provides for additional security measures:

• Harmonised municipal administrative sanctions (SAC) : regional harmonisation of municipal administrative penalties, ensuring uniform application across the 19 municipalities
• Regional anti-radicalisation unit : dedicated structure for prevention and detection of radicalisation, complementing the federal system (OCAM)
• Regional anti-drug plan : integrated plan covering prevention, harm reduction, treatment and enforcement — coordinated with the regional drug commissioner

These measures have not yet been implemented through executive texts.

Sources and methodology

The commitments documented above come from the official text of the RPD (chapter 7) and from concordant press sources covering the government agreement of 12 February 2026.

Gare du Nord hotspot task force (March 2026)

On 16 March 2026, the mayors of Schaerbeek (Martin de Brabant, MR) and Saint-Josse (Emir Kir) jointly announced a set of measures for the Quartier Nord hotspot, adopted within the framework of the Local Task Force:

Immediate measures:

• Night closure of all public establishments in the perimeter between 1am and 6am (prostitution venues included) — municipal decree in both municipalities
• Harmonised hours between Schaerbeek and Saint-Josse (ending the arbitrage of crossing to the other side of the street)
• Extension of the public alcohol consumption ban
• Reinforced camera coverage — federal support expected
• E-scooter speed limit in free-floating mode reduced to 8 km/h in the zone
• Reactivation of "safe places" and local prevention partnership

Medium-term measures:

• Integrity investigations into shops in the area (suspected money laundering)
• Redevelopment of rue d'Aerschot, linked to the Station Plan (EUR 10 million envelope)

Sources: La Libre, DH (16-18 March 2026).

Ordinance operational — Royale Layalina incident (14 April 2026)

The municipal night-closure ordinance came into force in early April 2026 (initial duration three months, renewable). On the night of Saturday 14 April, police escorted out 120 people from the Royale Layalina nightclub on Rue Royale in Saint-Josse — the first public incident under the ordinance.

The manager publicly denounces the economic impact: "120 customers cancelled, French DJ cancelled, deposit paid" and warns of a "short-term bankruptcy" risk. He indicates he is preparing an emergency court order (référé) against the ordinance, a procedure that can result in a quick but provisional ruling. The cabinet of Saint-Josse mayor Emir Kir confirms that no exceptions will be granted.

Legal scope: the référé is distinct from a Council of State appeal — the référé seeks rapid suspension, while the Council of State can be seized in parallel for a substantive annulment.

Sources: La Libre (15 April 2026); DH (15 April 2026); L'Avenir (15 April 2026). Confidence: official.

Escalation of violence in Saint-Gilles (15-18 April 2026)

Three serious incidents hit Saint-Gilles over four nights, in the context of a territorial war between criminal organisations linked to drug trafficking.

Mayor Jean Spinette (PS) described the scene as "hallucinatory" after a school was directly hit, speaking of "gangrene" and organised crime. Explicit stance: "Brussels does not need soldiers, but investigators and patrols to secure residents' nights." He calls for reinforced investigative capacity rather than a Green Shield deployment.

Police response: reinforced presence day and night, mobilisation of the communal Prevention Service, additional federal resources. A meeting with affected residents is organised. See also the municipality of Saint-Gilles.

Sources: RTBF (18 April 2026); BX1 (18 April 2026). Confidence: official.

Explosion in Schaerbeek (13 March 2026)

On Friday 13 March 2026, a detonation occurred in the evening on avenue Albert Giraud in Schaerbeek. It was a pyrotechnic device according to the Brussels-North police zone spokesperson (Victoire Lorand). A judicial exclusion perimeter was established. The federal police laboratory and a fire expert were called in. No injuries were reported.

Source: La Libre (14 March 2026).

Operation Green Shield: 200 soldiers deployed (23 March 2026)

On 19 March 2026, federal Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) and Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) signed the military deployment agreement dubbed Operation Green Shield. On 23 March 2026, 200 soldiers are deployed simultaneously in Brussels and Antwerp, with a subsequent extension to Liege. Including rotations, approximately 600 personnel are mobilised. 50 soldiers were already assigned to nuclear site security.

Context: rising antisemitism -- attack on the Liege synagogue on 21 March, attempted attack in Antwerp on 24 March. Belgium's threat level remains at level 3 of 4 ("serious").

Missions:

• Static surveillance of Jewish community sites (synagogues, schools)
• Joint police/military patrols in train stations and STIB/MIVB stops -- reinforced security in metro stations and Brussels train stations
• FIPA operations (integrated large-scale police operations): combating drug trafficking and organised crime in the Brussels-Capital Region

Duration: three months initially, reduction to 90 soldiers if extended beyond that. Joint patrols in Brussels will effectively start only from April 2026 (BX1).

This is a federal measure with direct impact on Brussels. The federal Justice Minister criticised the initial announcement, stating it had not been discussed in the Council of Ministers.

Sources: RTBF (16, 19 and 23 March 2026), BX1, La Libre, DH, L'Avenir, BusinessAM (23 March 2026).

Assault at Anderlecht CPAS (25 March 2026)

On Wednesday 25 March 2026, around 10:30am, an individual assaulted a security guard at the Anderlecht CPAS (public social welfare centre) as well as two police officers from the Brussels-Midi zone. The man, locked in an interview booth, destroyed the furniture before being subdued by a canine unit. The CPAS was closed for the afternoon.

This incident reflects rising tensions at Brussels CPAS centres, linked to the federal unemployment reform (benefit exclusions) that is placing increasing pressure on social welfare centres.

E-scooter Accidents

The Vias Institute recorded 541 injuries in e-scooter accidents in Brussels in 2024. In Q1 2025, the increase reached +62% nationally and +44% in Brussels. The Region accounts for 45% of all e-scooter accidents in the country. Among seriously injured victims, 60% suffered head injuries.

Source: Vias Institute, 2024-2025 analyses.

Military extension: 45 additional soldiers in stations and metro (3 April 2026)

From 3 April 2026, 45 additional soldiers are deployed in train stations and metro stations in Brussels, carrying out mixed patrols with the railway police. This brings the total military presence in public space to approximately 245 soldiers (200 from Operation Green Shield + 45 station reinforcements).

Legal grey area: the deployment takes place in a legal void — the Defence codex, which is supposed to provide the legal framework for domestic military operations, has not yet been voted by Parliament. Legal experts have raised concerns about the constitutional basis for sustained military presence in civilian spaces without explicit legislative authorisation. The current deployment relies on emergency executive decisions rather than a proper legal framework.

Sources: BX1, DH (April 2026).

Fraud investigation: ex-director of the police academy (April 2026)

A fraud investigation has been opened against the former director of the Brussels police academy. The investigation concerns suspected financial irregularities in the management of the academy. Details remain limited as the judicial inquiry is ongoing.

Source: press reports (April 2026).

Brussels-North zone: crime down 12% in 2025

The Brussels-North police zone (Polbruno: Schaerbeek, Evere, Saint-Josse) presented its 2025 results on 3 April 2026:

Violence remains concentrated in the North Quarter, which requires "more than ever" particular attention. Persistent challenges: violent robberies, domestic violence, cybercrime.

Source: BX1 / La Libre / DH (3-4 April 2026). Confidence: official (police zone).

Delta advanced post: new SIAMU station in Ixelles (14-17 April 2026)

From Tuesday 14 April to Friday 17 April 2026, SIAMU relocates to its new Delta advanced post, Boulevard du Triomphe in Ixelles. Operational coverage is maintained without interruption from the new infrastructure from the first day of transfer.

New building specifications:

Innovation — post-fire decontamination system: the Delta post integrates a decontamination system presented as unique in Belgium, with two separate circuits for equipment and personnel between dirty zone (returning from intervention, contaminated) and clean zone (changing rooms, rest). Objective: reduce firefighter exposure to carcinogenic residues after intervention — a well-documented occupational health concern in the profession.

This commissioning puts into practice the "improved working conditions" strand of chapter 7 of the RPD and complements the increase in the federal SIAMU dotation voted on 5 March 2026 (from EUR 5.7M to 15.4M/year, correcting the constitutional discrimination identified in 2022).

Sources: BX1 — The new Delta advanced post (15 April 2026); DH — Firefighters move into new Delta station (15 April 2026). Confidence: official.

Brabantwijk (Schaerbeek): positive results after one month of mandatory night closure (May 2026)

Mayor of Schaerbeek Martin de Brabant (MR) presented a first assessment of the mandatory night closure (1am–6am) in the Brabantwijk, in force since early April 2026:

• Sharp drop in criminal offences recorded by police during closing hours
• Significant reduction in noise for local residents
• Measure described as a success by the mayor

Source: BRUZZ Economie (9 May 2026). Confidence: official (mayoral statement).

Antisemitic chants at Anderlecht-Bruges: judicial investigation opened (9 May 2026)

The Brussels public prosecutor's office announced on Saturday 9 May 2026 the opening of a judicial investigation following antisemitic chants by Club Brugge supporters during the top match RSC Anderlecht – Club Brugge on Sunday 3 May 2026. Club Brugge chairman Bart Verhaeghe is expected to be questioned.

Sources: BX1, La Libre Belgique, BRUZZ (9 May 2026). Confidence: official (Brussels prosecutor's office).

Police-zone merger: new political swing (18-19 May 2026)

Six days after the Chamber plenary vote (13 May), the merger of the six Brussels police zones into a single zone enters a new sequence. On 18 May 2026, the Mayor of Evere announced his intention to file an appeal, joining Brulocalis (Association of Brussels Cities and Municipalities), which had already announced an appeal to the Constitutional Court, and several mayors who had filed individually. On 19 May 2026, BRUZZ reports that a key Flemish demand in the file has been met — a political concession presented as the trigger for the municipal appeal. The federal Interior minister had publicly acknowledged on 16 May that the file had taken on "unfortunately a communitarian flavour". Continued in the fusion-polices dossier.

Sources: BRUZZ — Mayor of Evere seeks to appeal the merger (18 May 2026); BRUZZ — Police-zone merger: key Flemish demand met (19 May 2026). Confidence: official.

Death in the Heysel — Roi Baudouin metro tunnel (15 May 2026)

On the night of Friday 15 to Saturday 16 May 2026, a woman in her fifties was found dead in a metro tunnel between Heysel and Roi Baudouin stations. Service was disrupted for several hours. Confirmed by Le Soir, La Libre, L'Avenir and BX1. The cause of death and exact circumstances (fall, intrusion, other) have not yet been publicly documented; STIB and police are carrying out the standard checks. The incident raises questions for the RPD commitment station-security (securing stations and platforms).

Source: Le Soir (16 May 2026). Confidence: official.

Brussels Pride 2026: 30th edition, 216,000 attendees and tensions (16-17 May 2026)

The 30th Brussels Pride was held on Saturday 16 May 2026 in central Brussels, gathering, according to the organisers, 216,000 attendees (figure relayed by La Libre and Le Vif). The police tally published on 17 May reports 29 arrests linked to protests against the presence of the N-VA in the parade. Three queer artists were also victims of a violent assault on the margins of the parade; a complaint has been filed (La Libre, BX1). The Wallonia-Brussels Federation Health minister has announced an unprecedented action plan against LGBTQIA+ violence (see social card).

Sources: La Libre — 216,000 attendees (17 May 2026); La Libre — 3 artists assaulted (17 May 2026). Confidence: official.

Explosion on rue de la Borne in Molenbeek (19 May 2026)

On Tuesday 19 May 2026 at around 02:10, an explosion occurred at rue de la Borne (Paalstraat) no. 6 in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. Several windows along the street were shattered; the shopfront and shutter of a Syrian bakery were also damaged. No casualties. On site: Brussels firefighters, Brussels-West police zone, federal police laboratory and DOVO (the Belgian explosive ordnance disposal unit) for expert assessment. The Brussels public prosecutor's office has taken up the case. The mayor visited the site. The circumstances remain undetermined; a local shopkeeper raised the possibility of a settling of scores, a hypothesis the police have not confirmed.

Source: BRUZZ — Multiple windows shattered in Molenbeek explosion (19 May 2026). Confidence: official.

6,000 nitrous-oxide canisters stolen in Hal after seizure (19 May 2026)

Approximately 6,000 nitrous-oxide canisters seized by the Brussels-Ixelles police were stolen from a storage facility in Hal (Halle, Flemish Brabant) before their destruction. The case raises questions about the judicial chain of custody for seized goods. Nitrous oxide has been subject to heightened vigilance in the Brussels Region since 2023 (diverted recreational use, public health). Multi-source: RTBF, BRUZZ, HLN, VRT.

Source: RTBF (19 May 2026). Confidence: official.

SIAMU: shift reorganisation plan at the concertation committee of 28 May 2026

The agenda of the concertation committee of 28 May 2026 includes a shift reorganisation plan put forward by the management of the Brussels Fire and Emergency Medical Service (SIAMU). The plan calls for cutting the daily on-duty roster from 161 to 153 staff, after an initial reduction from 173 to 161 in 2025. In concrete terms, management proposes:

• the removal of one fire engine at the Anderlecht station (currently equipped with two), which covers Anderlecht, Forest and parts of Uccle and Ixelles;
• the removal of one ladder at the Cité station (administrative city centre, Pacheco sector);
• a total equivalent to eight fewer staff per shift.

The joint union front (SLFP/VSOA cited) opposes the plan: « for the Anderlecht sector, we are talking about 14 fire-engine call-outs on average per 24-hour shift. By cutting the staff for one engine, we would go to 14 call-outs with a single engine. Response times will lengthen and firefighters' own health is also put at risk. »

This trajectory runs counter to the RPD commitment (chapter 7) that provides for two phases of SIAMU staff reinforcement. The siamu-reinforcement commitment in the Claim Tracker is accordingly moved to delayed status, pending the outcome of the 28 May concertation committee.

Note that the investment trajectory for SIAMU remains positive in parallel: the federal dotation has been tripled (€5.7 → €15.4M/year, voted on 5 March) and the Delta advanced post in Ixelles has been operational since 14 April 2026. The tension therefore concerns daily operational staffing, distinct from dotations and real estate.

Source: DH Bruxelles (26 May 2026). Confidence: official (committee agenda, union statement).