This year 4,600 violations were detected, last year there were 3,200. An increase, but Ostend now controls much more. And it is mainly visitors who make the mistake. Two years ago, almost half of the offenders still lived in Ostend, but now almost no violations are observed among Ostend residents themselves. Anyone who throws their cigarette butt on the ground in Ostend risks a gas fine of up to 350 euros.