Antwerp police organise virtual reality training to combat hate crimes
The Antwerp local police force is hosting an international training course on hate crimes this week, in collaboration with the European Training Agency (CEPOL). A total of 26 specialists from 19 European countries have gathered in the city to exchange knowledge and best practices. As part of the programme, officers will take part in virtual reality (VR) training, a first for Belgium.
According to the police, the VR component will enable officers to practise tactics, communication, de-escalation and the recognition of hate crimes through realistic, immersive scenarios. They say a tailored approach is essential, as discrimination as a motive is considered an aggravating circumstance and must therefore be prosecuted accordingly.
“Hate crimes have a significant impact on the victim and communities, and on the general sense of security of people in our city,” says Commissioner Kristof De Busser, Head of Diversity & Inclusion at the Antwerp Police Zone (PZA). “That’s why we believe it’s important that every patrol can recognise, record, and collect evidence of these kinds of incidents.”
VR training with Antwerp Local Police and the European Training Agency CEPOL., on Thursday 27 November 2025.
©BELGA VIDEO TIJS VANDERSTAPPEN
The VR sessions simulate different types of interventions, with or without a hate-related motive. Alongside crime recognition, officers are trained to handle situations and gather evidence. The debriefing stage is also crucial. “We then provide feedback: did our colleagues recognise the hate motive? If not, we sharpen their theoretical knowledge,” De Busser explains.
The scenarios are data-driven and reflect the most frequent hate crimes in Antwerp. “These primarily target the Jewish community, the LGBTQI+ community, the Muslim community and people with a migration background,” says De Busser. “These communities are also strongly represented in Antwerp.”
Beyond internal training, the Antwerp police are also conducting outreach within these communities, encouraging individuals to report hate crimes and to file a complaint whenever an incident occurs.
#FlandersNewsService | The VR (Virtual Reality) training area, at the new headquarters of the Antwerp Local Police, in Antwerp, Wednesday 13 September 2023.© BELGA PHOTO TIJS VANDERSTAPPEN
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