Crime is on the rise and the inhabitants of Zeebrugge say that it is “the work of migrants,” and are threatening to “take matters into their own hands,” Belgian daily HLN reported.
After a series of break-ins and robberies, many of the inhabitants are fed up and remain convinced that there is a link between the increasing number of burglaries and the increased number of delinquent migrants that have flooded the parks and the streets.
The Bruges police has called for calm: “If people see something suspicious, they must first call us.”
Although citizens of the famous Belgian seaside resort believe the increase in lawlessness is linked to the growing migrant population, police are trying to deny the link. “It is dangerous to assume immediately that the thefts are the work of migrants.” Nevertheless, some 63 migrants were arrested in the span of only two days in Zeebrugge recently.
Zeebrugge Mayor Renaat Landuyt has also urged his constituents to calm down. “Do not take matters into your own hands,” he warned.
“We ask everyone to remain within the law and immediately report suspicious situations to the police. He said that seeking confrontation with the migrants was a “very bad idea”.
“It is our permanent concern to limit or avoid the inconvenience. The police do everything possible and continue their patrols. Unfortunately, the situation persists. But I can assure all residents that we are and remain alert,” says Landuyt.
Another thorn in the side of the local population is that the illegal immigrants are sleeping or sunbathing in the streets. This is the case, for example, in the Sint-Donaaspark and around the local church. But here too the message of the police remains the same: do not look for confrontation and let the competent authorities do their work.
Member of Parliament in Bruges, Franky Demon, says the town needs more federal police. “Zeebrugge is again overwhelmed by migrants and the police are short of hands and manpower,” says Demon.
The Bruges police itself announced that additional measures that will taken to ensure safety until the end of August.
Mayor Landuyt has also given the cleaning service the task of regularly cleaning up the dune area De Fonteintjes between Zeebrugge and Blankenberge and removing the waste left by migrants.
Vlaams Belang candidate Stefaan Sintobin has requested that a closed institution be established on the coast to keep migrants out.