Brussels Midi station to get permanent police presence and alcohol ban
A police station, more security patrols and a ban on alcohol will be introduced at Brussels Midi railway station. The federal and Brussels governments, the municipalities of Saint-Gilles and Anderlecht, rail operator SNCB and the National Crisis Centre agreed the measures on Thursday.
On 25 August, the two governments instructed the National Crisis Centre to mobilise all services at the various political levels involved in security and reception capacity at Midi. On Thursday, 22 concrete measures were agreed.
"It is Belgium's most important international railway station, comparable to Zaventem airport"
Presenting the measures, prime minister Alexander De Croo pointed out that 160,000 passengers pass through Midi every day. "It is Belgium's most important international railway station, comparable to Zaventem airport," added Brussels minister president Rudi Vervoort.
The most notable measure is the installation of a police outpost in or near the station. There will also be more patrols, additional video surveillance and a ban on alcohol.
Homelesness and infrastructure
To combat homelessness and drug use, there will be regular cleaning of the station, emergency toilets for the homeless, permanent social support in the station and day and night shelters for addicts.
Finally, the infrastructure will be improved. This includes better lighting, a mapped route to guide tourists out of the station, the development of a parking management strategy for buses and bicycles, wifi hotspots and the start of a thorough renovation of the neighbourhood.
© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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