Three-quarters of Flemish forest rangers faced aggression last year

Three-quarters of the forest rangers of the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests had to deal with aggression last year, shows a survey by the agency published today/Wednesday. The results are released not coincidentally today, as 31 July is World Ranger Day.

It’s the first time that forest rangers have been specifically questioned about the aggression they are facing on the job. The Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests started up the survey because of indications that the cases of aggressive behaviour were increasing.

75 per cent of the forest rangers declared that they had to deal with aggression in the past year. The figure is probably still an underestimation, according to the Flemish agency. Most cases involve verbal aggression, such as being yelled at, but insulting gestures, damaging of service vehicles or (threats of) physical violence also occur.

The aggression is almost always related to the enforcement of the access rules in the government’s forest and nature areas. “One of the most common problems is the enforcement regarding the obligation of keeping dogs on a leash in forest and nature areas,” explained Eddy Vercammen, a forest ranger in the Kempen region. “When you remind people about that, their tone is always sharper when they respond. That's striking.”

 

#FlandersNewsService | Man with a dog in a forest in Halle, Flanders © BELGA PHOTO BELPRESS

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