A police officer was injured on Saturday while carrying out checks during the Kamping Kitsch festival in Kortrijk, according to the VLAS police zone (covering Kortrijk, Kuurne, and Lendelede).
The incident occurred as officers apprehended a man who was disrupting traffic during the festival’s exit. The man resisted arrest and turned violent towards the police.
Despite this, the festival, attended by more than 24,000 people, went smoothly without major incidents, the police said.
“From the beginning of the event, throughout the busy festival day, and during the mass departure at midnight, the large-scale security operation ran very smoothly,” a police spokesperson noted. “There was excellent and efficient collaboration among all partners involved in planning and implementing the safety measures.”
Visitors to the festival were subjected to drug checks at a judicial police station set up at the entrance to the site. Two sniffer dogs were deployed, resulting in 24 individuals being caught in possession of drugs. These attendees were immediately barred from the event, and all drugs were confiscated.
Additionally, around 130 attendees were found to have recently been in possession of drugs. Police also seized a knife from one individual.
A total of 25 people were permanently removed from the festival site for inappropriate behaviour. One report of unwanted sexual behaviour was filed at the on-site help desk.
Eight individuals were arrested by police for disrupting public order, public intoxication, or both. Among them was the pedestrian involved in disrupting traffic during the festival’s exit. Despite multiple warnings, the man refused to comply, leading to his arrest. It was during this altercation that a police officer was injured.
The festival, known for its extravagant costumes and lively atmosphere, wrapped up with most attendees following the rules and enjoying the event without issues.
