Menen (Brussels Morning newspaper) – West Flanders towns face rising cross-border crime. N-VA, Mayor Your Casier, MP Maaike De Vreese, and Kurt Himpe urge easing Tournai Agreements and better Belgian-French police cooperation.
As VRT News reported, towns along the West Flanders border, including Menen, Wervik, and Kortrijk, have reported a rise in crime in recent months. Burglaries and car thefts have increased, worrying residents.
The situation escalated after a violent home invasion in Wervik. To draw attention, the N-VA party organised a protest in Menen, near the French border. The demonstration focused on the limits Belgian police face when suspects flee into France.
What can be done to stop the rising cross-border crime in Menen?
According to the Tournai Agreements of 2001, police can only pursue offenders across the border in very serious cases, such as murder or violent attacks. They mentioned that this means thieves who steal cars or commit property crimes can escape to France without being chased.
“But in 2013, those Tournai agreements were amended and essentially became empty,”
says N-VA provincial councillor Kurt Himpe.
“Information sharing. joint operations, and patrols between the Belgian and French police: all of that could be much better.”
Authorities and local officials are calling for changes to the Tournai Agreements. They want Belgian police to have more freedom to follow suspects across the border. Any new rules should be reciprocal, giving French police the same rights in Belgium.
Improved communication between Belgian and French police is also a priority. Currently, coordination is slow and indirect, which can delay action during chases. Officials say better radio systems and joint operations are needed to respond quickly. They argue that stronger cross-border cooperation would help prevent crime and make border towns safer for residents.
Mayor Your Casier of Wervik, representing Vooruit, asked Interior Minister Annelies Quintin in June 2025 to negotiate with French authorities on changing the Tournai Agreements.
He said French thieves can escape quickly after burglaries or car thefts because Belgian police are not allowed to pursue them across the border. The mayor has not yet received a reply to his official request. Local authorities are worried as cross-border crime continues to rise.
“In addition to easing the Tournai agreements, we are also asking for more ANPR cameras with license plate recognition for the border region.”
The issue has support from other politicians. Federal MP Maaike De Vreese and Provincial Council Member Kurt Himpe say that federal resources are rightly focused on drug crime in Antwerp and the port, but the problem in West Flanders must not be ignored
Comments
13 responses to “N-VA Organizes Human Chain at Menen Border in Response to Crime Increase”
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Oh lovely, a human chain! Because nothing says “we’re serious about crime” quite like a nice, cozy protest while the thieves are probably sipping café au lait in France. 😂
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Oh, brilliant move, organizing a human chain! Because nothing screams effective law enforcement like a group of people holding hands while thieves make a beeline for France. 🙄✋ #BorderPatrolGoals
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Seems like a human chain is the new frontier in policing—who knew we could tackle crime with a bit of hand-holding? 😂 Next up, maybe knitting circles for better border diplomacy?
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Looks like the N-VA is giving “human chain” a whole new meaning—maybe next time they should just bring a solid pair of running shoes for the cops! 😂 #CrossborderChase
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Oh, a human chain at the border, how original! Because clearly, standing in a line is the ultimate solution to a crime wave—next up, a group hug with the thieves? 😂
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Looks like the N-VA is trying to turn a human chain into a crime-fighting chain, eh? Maybe they should just hand out “Welcome to France” signs at the border instead! 😂
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Only in Belgium would a human chain be the latest crime-fighting strategy; next, they’ll be asking for a group hug with the thieves to negotiate! 😂🇧🇪
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So, a human chain to stop thieves? Brilliant idea! Maybe next they’ll form a human wall to keep out the rain while they’re at it. 🤦♂️
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Looks like the N-VA’s human chain is just what we needed—because who wouldn’t want to hold hands while waiting for the French to send back their thieves? 😂 Sounds like a delightful way to tackle crime: stand around and hope for a miracle!
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Only in Belgium would a human chain be the go-to solution for a crime wave—because, you know, nothing says “we care” like standing in a line! 🤦♂️ Maybe next time, we could just throw a fancy cheese platter at the criminals and call it a day. 🧀🚫
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Isn’t it just delightful how a simple chain of humans can solve decades-old agreements? Next up, a human wall at the Seine to stop Parisian pickpockets! 😏🚧
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Only in Belgium do we organize a human chain instead of, I don’t know, maybe just crossing the border to catch the thieves? 🤷♂️ #ProblemSolved
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Seems like the N-VA thinks a human chain will stop thieves better than the Belgian police could—might as well bring some baguettes for the border picnic while we’re at it! 🥖🚔
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Sarhan Basem is Eurotoday’s Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful comment
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