Increasing armed attacks in Brussels brought the public order problem to the agenda

Brussels Capital Police announced that a police officer who went to check a stolen vehicle in the Jette district died as a result of an armed attack.

At the press conference he held after the incident, Brussels Prosecutor Julien Moinil stated that a "significant amount" of drugs was found in the stolen vehicle and that several suspects were detained.

It was announced that 1 civilian lost his life as a result of an armed attack on Rue Wiertz Street, where the European Parliament (EP) building is located in Ixelles Municipality.

Yesterday's armed attacks brought up the recent violence and public order problems in Brussels, which hosts EU institutions and NATO.

AA correspondent compiled the latest information about the increasing public order problem in Brussels.

Brussels has been plagued by armed violence linked to drug trafficking and inter-gang showdowns in recent years.

36th police officer to die in the last 25 years

According to local media reports, the police officer who lost his life in yesterday's attack became the 36th police officer to lose his life on duty in the last 25 years.

Joery Dehaes, a spokesman for the police union NSPV, stated that incidents of violence played a "huge role" in the deaths of police officers.

Following the incident, authorities in the country expressed their condolences to the family of the police officer, while Minister of Internal Affairs Bernard Quintin noted that the investigation was continuing and the criminals would be punished in the most severe way.

There have been more than 150 armed attacks and 22 explosions in the last year

Brussels Prosecutor Moinil stated that there have been more than 150 armed attacks and 22 explosions in the capital in the last year.

Moinil also noted that there were 69 armed attacks in Brussels from the beginning of the year to the end of August, and this number will be 102 in 2025.

Government's plan and criticisms

With the plan announced by the Belgian government against the recently increasing security threats, it is aimed to unite the police force operating in 6 different regions in Brussels under a single roof and to have the new structure managed by a single police chief.

Within the scope of the plan approved by the parliament, the process of joint patrols between police and soldiers started on April 3, and soldiers went on joint patrols in metro and train stations.

On the other hand, Brussels municipalities oppose the plan, which is aimed to be fully operational at the beginning of 2027.

The Union of Brussels Municipalities warns that in line with the plan, the police will face a budget deficit of 300 million euros for the 2025-2029 period.

The Brussels Prosecutor's Office also states that they have requested a signal jamming device to prevent drug gang leaders in prisons from continuing their activities outside via mobile phones, but there has been no development in this regard.

Some people were injured as a result of a series of armed attacks in the Saint-Gilles, Anderlecht and Molenbeek districts of Brussels in late August, and a Kalashnikov-type gun was opened at a police station in Anderlecht.