Brussels is once again at the centre of a security crisis following a series of shootings linked to drug-related violence. The latest incidents, including gunfire at the Clemenceau metro station in Anderlecht, have prompted an urgent response from political and law enforcement authorities, who are now implementing stronger measures to curb the growing influence of organised crime.
A Surge in Violence
In the early hours of Wednesday, gunfire erupted near Clemenceau metro station, a known hotspot for drug trafficking. The shooting is believed to be linked to a dispute between rival drug gangs over a stolen shipment. This incident followed another shooting just hours earlier in the Brussels municipality of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, in which two people were injured.
Adding to the concerns, a further shooting took place the following night in Anderlecht, with one individual sustaining a gunshot wound to the leg. The ongoing violence underscores a worrying trend in Brussels, where drug-related shootings have become increasingly frequent. In 2024 alone, the capital recorded 89 such incidents, resulting in nine deaths.
Authorities have recovered heavy weaponry during house searches, indicating that the groups involved are well-armed and organised. Julien Moinil, the recently appointed public prosecutor for Brussels, has called for urgent action, warning that the city risks further bloodshed if decisive measures are not taken. He referenced a bullet that struck a child’s bedroom during the Clemenceau shooting, drawing parallels to a similar incident in Antwerp last year in which an 11-year-old girl was killed.
“How many deaths must occur before an adequate response is implemented?” Moinil asked, urging both local and federal authorities to prioritise security measures and provide additional resources for law enforcement.
Political and Law Enforcement Response
Brussels’ political leadership has been criticised for its perceived inaction in addressing the city’s security challenges. However, following the latest shootings, Mayor Philippe Close convened an emergency meeting with his counterparts from the capital’s 19 municipalities and senior police officials. The outcome of this meeting was a decision to introduce a unified command structure for policing, breaking from the traditional model in which the city’s six separate police zones operate independently.
Under this new arrangement, officers from the Brussels-Capital Ixelles police force will be deployed in Anderlecht and the southern districts of the city in a show of solidarity. This coordinated approach will also be applied during large public events and on occasions such as New Year’s Eve, when security demands are heightened.
The Belgian federal government is also responding to the crisis. Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden has scheduled a high-level meeting with Moinil, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, and Federal Police Commissioner Eric Snoeck to discuss further measures. The government has committed to implementing a new “Canal Plan” for Brussels, mirroring the security strategy introduced in 2015 following the Paris terrorist attacks. This plan includes increased police presence and greater resources for investigating drug-related crime.
A City Under Pressure
Beyond the immediate security concerns, many Brussels residents feel that the city is facing a broader decline in living conditions. Eric Vandezande, spokesman for an umbrella organisation representing 40 neighbourhood committees, highlighted the deterioration of public spaces and the rise in poverty.
“Alongside the lack of security, there is also a growing problem with cleanliness, and extreme poverty is increasing,” he said. “Some residents are leaving Brussels because of these issues. On the streets, we are seeing more drug addicts and homeless individuals.”
Vandezande argues that while law enforcement efforts are necessary, they alone will not solve the crisis. He points to the increasing prevalence of crack cocaine use in the city as an indicator of deeper social problems.
“The Canal Plan focuses on policing and justice, which are essential,” he said. “But repression is only part of the solution. Thousands of homeless individuals and undocumented migrants are living in Brussels. Without a real policy to address their needs, the situation will not improve.”
Looking Ahead
With security concerns dominating the agenda, Brussels faces mounting pressure to take effective action against drug-related crime. The city’s political leadership has pledged to intensify law enforcement efforts, but questions remain about whether these measures will be sufficient to tackle the underlying social and economic factors driving the violence.
The implementation of a unified policing command marks a significant shift in Brussels’ approach to security, but its success will depend on continued cooperation between different levels of government and law enforcement. Meanwhile, residents continue to demand concrete solutions to improve both safety and quality of life in the Belgian capital.
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