Military Patrols Linked to Fewer Crimes in Brussels Stations

Crime in Brussels metro and train stations has declined since Belgian soldiers began supporting police patrols in April, according to Defense Minister Theo Francken.

Figures from Belgium’s Interior Ministry show that reported criminal offenses in Brussels metro stations and on the metro network fell by 16.8% after the military deployment began. At train stations, the number dropped by 7.1%.

The soldiers are part of Operation Urban Shield, a federal government initiative introduced amid growing concerns about drug-related violence and public safety in the Belgian capital.

Around 30 Soldiers Support Police

Since April, around 30 members of the Belgian Army have been deployed at Brussels train and metro stations to support local police. The government extended the operation for another six months in September.

Speaking to the Chamber of Representatives’ Defense Committee, Francken described the mission as necessary, pointing to what he called serious security problems in the Brussels metro system and at Brussels-North and Brussels-South railway stations.

He said passengers had thanked soldiers for their presence and described cooperation between the military and police as excellent.

There is currently no fixed date for ending the operation, Francken added.

The deployment has cost more than 4 million euros so far.

Military Also Protects Jewish Communities

Francken also defended the continued need for Operation Green Shield, which provides military security for Jewish institutions and neighborhoods in Belgium.

Since the operation began in April, soldiers have reported 163 incidents. According to the minister, 22 were directly linked to antisemitism.

Francken described antisemitism as a serious and troubling problem.

Around 200 soldiers are currently involved in security operations across Belgium. The military uses a rotation system to prevent personnel from remaining on the same assignment for too long and to limit the impact on training and operational readiness.

Opposition Questions the Army’s Role

Not everyone supports using soldiers for these duties.

Annick Ponthier, a member of parliament for the Vlaams Belang party, argued that military personnel should not be responsible for routine security duties or guarding Jewish neighborhoods.

She questioned whether soldiers have a sufficient legal framework and the necessary powers to respond effectively to threats. Ponthier also argued that the deployment forces the military to compensate for a shortage of police officers.

Her criticism highlights a wider debate in Belgium over how to respond to security concerns in public spaces while ensuring that police and military personnel operate within clearly defined legal roles.

For now, the government’s military deployment in Brussels stations remains in place, with officials pointing to the reported decline in crime as evidence of its impact.