More police in Knokke-Heist next weekend because a lot of people are expected
The police of the Knokke-Heist zone has a heat plan that comes into effect from 28 degrees. She will therefore receive reinforcements from the federal police and other zones from Friday. The officers will check intensively for nuisance. Steve Desmet, chief of police PZ Damme – Knokke-Heist: “We do have some experience in June and previous years, that on those heat days, temperatures above 28 degrees, we get a different target audience in the streets. They are mainly young people from the big cities, but also young people from northern France.”
They often notice nuisance in traffic in Knokke-Heist, such as wild parking. But noise nuisance or ‘failing to respect values and norms’ are also a problem. For example, you are not allowed to walk around bare-chested in the shopping streets. Those who do not comply with the rules risk a GAS fine of 350 euros. Traders on the seawall also recognize the problem. “We regularly see young people from the north of France racing with ten people on a golf cart on the seawall, with loud music. That disturbs the peace. They also come to a restaurant in their beach clothes, which we cannot accept,” says a restaurant owner.
Identity checks and later cooperation with the French police
Identity checks will also follow. “On those days we have a special procedure that we set in motion. One of the measures we take is traffic checks. We will be very active when driving in, but also when driving out, and will check the vehicles purposefully.”
In the past, the police of Knokke-Heist already worked together with Dutch colleagues. In the future, she also wants to collaborate with the French police. “It’s been a success with the Netherlands, and it’s definitely on the to-do list for next year to develop some kind of collaboration with our French colleagues. But that is not yet the case for this year.”