Beach police Ostend longer on post

The special beach post of the police will be operational from this weekend. The police work together with the beach lifeguards, near the Kursaal. Beachgoers recognize the police by their orange gear. The agents travel with a beach buggy.

Litter and lost children

Mayor Bart Tommelein: “We have started the beach police this legislature to be able to respond even faster if safety is compromised and to be closer to the people. This year we’re taking it a step further: the beach police will be present longer on busy summer days.

This summer we will focus more than ever on tackling litter and illegal dumping. The general safety, in particular of lost children, of course remains paramount.”

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Until 9:30 pm on the beach

In July and August, the police on the beach are longer active for the first time.

“In recent years, the beach station was occupied from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Now we are extending our hours to 9:30 pm. This way we can intervene even faster for any incidents or occurrences later in the day,” emphasizes Chief Constable Philip Caestecker.

“The staffing of the beach police remains the same: only we have adjusted our planning internally. Furthermore, contact with citizens is important. Our people are approachable, the presence is very clear and they also have daily contact with the operators of the beach bars and owners of beach cabins.”

For example, a total of 1,300 practical business cards are distributed with all the information. Please note: there are some exceptions to the hours. In June, the post is only open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., but only every day from June 24. Ditto in September. The beach police closes on September 10. The figures prove that it can be a busy summer – much depends on the weather.

Up to 8,000 interventions

Last summer, the Ostend Police received no less than 10,950 reports in July and August, which led to 7,958 interventions. That was about a thousand more than in the summer of 2021. One in ten of those goes to the beach police.