Knokke-Heist, July 13, 2025 – The Europe Today: French police officers will be deployed to Belgium’s coastal town of Knokke-Heist this summer to support local law enforcement in managing anti-social behavior by French youths, local police chief Steve Desmet confirmed to Belga news agency.
The move comes as part of efforts to address the “perceived sense of insecurity” in Knokke’s popular entertainment district, which has seen repeated disturbances during the summer season, particularly involving youths from northern France and Dutch cities.
“For several years, the start of the summer holidays has seen an influx of Dutch and French youths causing disturbances,” Desmet said, citing areas such as Roubaix, Lille, Valenciennes, Antwerp, Brussels, and Liège as common points of origin. He noted that on hot days, the area experiences a spike in urban youth visitors, creating challenges in balancing public enjoyment with the expectations of residents, businesses, and regular tourists.
While police stress that “objective safety” is not at risk, Desmet emphasized the importance of finding new tools to mitigate public unease and prevent potential escalation.
This year, French police officers will be present in Knokke during the last week of July and again starting 15th August (Assumption Day). The cooperation is being introduced as a pilot project.
“It’s a test to get to know each other,” Desmet explained. “Hopefully, we can continue to work this way during hot days in the future.”
The initiative mirrors past efforts involving Dutch police support in Knokke and underscores growing cross-border collaboration in response to shared security concerns during peak tourist seasons.
