The number of burglaries in Belgium amounted to about 56 000 cases in 2016, a decrease by 16 % compared to the previous year. The declining trend continued in 2017 with 25 000 burglaries during the first half of the year according to data from the federal police. The figures were disclosed Tuesday by MP Franky Demon (CD&V), who had requested them from the federal government.
The decrease in the crime rate is due to preventive actions organized by the different police districts, as well as to networks of “vigilant neighbors”.
The number of violent burglaries also decreased slightly and amounted to 1.6 % of all burglaries.
Nearly 70 % of the burglaries occur in private houses, 18 % in apartments and rest in garages and other buildings. Most of them were committed in the province of Hainaut (10,688 in 2016), Antwerp (7,391) and in the Brussels-Capital Region (7,335). The figures also show that most burglaries occur during the day, between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm.
"It’s not surprising that most burglaries take place during the day, including the evenings, when people are still at work or outside their home for leisure activities,” says Demon. Burglaries are more often committed on Fridays and Saturdays compared to the other days of the week.
The majority of police districts have identified home burglaries as a priority in their security plans.
Another aspect that seems to affect the number of burglaries is the vigilance shown in the neighborhood. Neighbors who suspect something warn the police faster. The Local Prevention Partnership (PLP) also plays a positive role according to Demon.
The Brussels Times
