Quick and increased attention
The public prosecutor also urges rapid and increased attention. Perhaps it also depends on the weather. He speaks of an influx of human smugglers, also from within the country, but often from neighboring countries. Filiep Jodts, Crown Prosecutor of West Flanders: “I have insisted that a lot of police will be present, visibly. A lot of blue on the street, on the beach, along the roads and on the beaches. The police must act as a deterrent.”
Procedures
The prosecutor also says that there have been stiff penalties for arrested human smugglers here for years, but that it is still not a sufficient deterrent. There was also consultation with the shipping police about the procedures if refugees are found in rickety boats at sea. “If there is a boat sailing with 50 people, you cannot simply take them off board. If it concerns a taxi boat that starts with 5 people, then I think that those people should be taken off the boat. This is possible, but of course it is not that easy. We will see what happens, but we have to be sharper than before, otherwise it will escalate.”
