According to the mayor, the measure based on the observation of a high number of arrests of minors during New Year’s nights in 2023 and 2024, will be submitted to a posteriori vote by the municipal council. For the future, in the event of recourse to a measure of this type, account will be taken of the observation of the Council of State according to which it is up to the municipal assembly, and not to the mayor alone, to take it by route to arrest due to the predictable nature of the event, namely New Year’s Eve, he added.
On the ground, this “protection” measure, particularly against the use of fireworks and the injuries they can inflict when mishandled, has enabled peacekeepers to encourage minors to under 16 years of age unaccompanied by adults to return home, without it being necessary to make the slightest arrest among them.
The Council of State had rejected, the day before, an appeal to suspend the system.
New Year’s Eve was once again busy for emergency services and law enforcement in the capital. Around sixty cars were set on fire and firefighters were sprayed with molotov cocktails in Forest. Around fifteen STIB vehicles were also damaged.
In total, thirty administrative arrests were made in the Brussels Midi police zone (Anderlecht, Forest and Saint-Gilles). It was in the Cureghem district that those which took place in Anderlecht were carried out, said Fabrice Cumps. According to the mayor, they concerned thugs aged 18 to 25, more accustomed to seeking confrontation with the police.
According to information from the police zone, among minors under the age of 16, we find not profiles of this type, but more people attracted by the spectacular nature of the event, through the lights of the event. fireworks, from the start of the evening. This is what justified the above all preventive measure which was taken, he said in substance.
