Community police officers from the Netherlands and Belgium go on patrol together to tackle nuisance more efficiently (Beveren-Waas)

The local police officers from the Belgian De Klinge and the Dutch Hulst went on patrol together in the border region on Thursday. This happened at the request of the Dutch police. “We are going to evaluate this and see how we can continue to work together in the future,” says Commissioner Chris Blancquaert of the Waasland-Noord police zone.

At the end of last year, a new Benelux treaty was drawn up for cross-border police cooperation. This treaty facilitates that cooperation. “In the past, a joint action was also possible, but that had to be requested higher up,” says Commissioner Blancquaert. “This can now be agreed locally between the chiefs of police of both zones. It has become much less cumbersome.”

For example, the Zeeuws-Vlaanderen police asked for more focus on joint patrols in the border region of the Belgian De Klinge and the Dutch Hulst.

Exchange information

On Thursday, the police officers from both zones went out together. “They go on patrol to get to know the local problems better. The police officers have ties to certain facts in their area,” says the commissioner.

According to the police, cooperation offers many advantages. “A Dutch colleague who wants to check a Belgian vehicle does not have access to the Belgian database and vice versa,” says Jeroen Trapman, team leader of the Zeeuws-Vlaanderen police. “With a joint patrol, that access is available. Exchanging information is much faster and more efficient.”

Maaike De Rudder (CD&V), mayor of Sint-Gillis-Waas, is already in favor. “We regularly have nuisance at the border. For example, young people thought they were safe as soon as they crossed the border. That will no longer be the case,” she says.

Help with events

In addition to patrols, cross-border actions will also be considered in the future. “We can complement each other during drug operations, traffic checks or in response to thefts. In addition, we can offer each other help during major events,” says Commissioner Blancquaert. “The new treaty also allows us to check identities on both sides of the border. Furthermore, we no longer have to ask permission for a chase across the border. We are only obliged to report it. This is the first time that an official collaboration has taken place. We will evaluate this and see how we can possibly continue this in the future.”