Major cross-border crime operation held along Belgian-French frontier

A large overnight police operation was carried out along the Belgian-French border from Friday evening into early Saturday, targeting a rise in cross-border crime. The coordinated checks focused on travelling theft rings, as well as drug, weapons and human smuggling.

From De Panne to Doornik, officers set up multiple checkpoints on key approach roads, supported by mobile patrols able to stop and redirect suspicious vehicles. Around 140 Belgian and French officers took part, including teams from eight local police zones, the federal police, immigration services, customs and the Flemish Tax Authority.

Police leaders said the operation was designed both to strengthen visibility and to demonstrate to organised groups that the border cannot be used as a safe corridor for criminal activity. 

Previous actions of this kind have led to significant seizures, and authorities hope the reinforced cooperation will deepen joint work between Belgian and French police in the months ahead.

^{© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}