A sense of unease is growing in the Belgian town of Anderlues, and extending to the wider Charleroi area, as residents voice increasing concerns about a perceived rise in crime. While long-term statistics suggest a decline in certain types of offenses, recent incidents and a visible increase in petty crime and drug-related activity are fueling anxieties, particularly among families.
The concerns were sparked by a recent garage fire in Anderlues, where a vehicle was destroyed. A local resident, speaking anonymously to L’Avenir, articulated a growing fear: “And I see the dealing on the square in front of the pharmacy even in broad daylight, I see suspicious people entering and leaving vacant lots on Basse Street, I see the wrecked cars passing by with faces that wouldn’t make me want to let my children out, I see the murder of that poor young man in Gosselies, two kilometers from here, last week. Another car was burned down in front of my house 5 years ago. Briefly: it’s getting serious.”
The incident comes against a backdrop of broader anxieties about safety in the Charleroi region. While police acknowledge a recent uptick in certain crimes, they emphasize that overall crime rates have been falling for decades. According to police chief Philippe Sinon, “We see that crime has increased on the Place des Trieux in recent months, and we are strengthening our patrols even if we cannot be everywhere at the same time.” He was quick to add context, however, stating, “That said, the increase in figures follows the trend of the entire Charleroi zone. And there is a significant downward trend over the last 25 years, we must not forget that, despite a resurgence in recent months.”
official figures show a significant decrease in burglaries, car thefts, and armed robberies in Courcelles over the past quarter-century – a reduction of two to three times in reported incidents. Even more recent data, from 2024, indicates a nearly 25% decrease in serious crimes endangering individuals over the past decade. However, this positive trend is offset by a rise in shoplifting, bank and computer fraud, and drug use.
Chief Sinon cautions against drawing simplistic conclusions from the statistics regarding drug use. “If we see an increase in statistics related to drugs, with very young authors, aged 15 to 23, it is also because that is what we control more. Who hangs around outside in the cities or town centers? Young people. So that’s who we control, and that’s who we catch. That doesn’t mean there isn’t drug use in other age groups, but among them. And since we control problematic public places more, such as the Place des Trieux, the numbers also increase as a result. The evil of the century, however, is clearly since Covid, scams and digital fraud: crime is changing.”
The situation in Charleroi mirrors broader concerns about rising crime rates in Belgium. In Anderlecht, a district of Brussels, residents have expressed similar anxieties, particularly following a stabbing incident on Christmas Eve . A report from Eurotoday detailed how residents are increasingly choosing to stay indoors at night, fearing for their safety. The report highlighted a sense of vulnerability, with one resident stating they prefer to remain at home after 8 p.m., especially on New Year’s Eve.
Further complicating the issue, reports from RTBF indicate a surge in shootings in Anderlecht, with 92 reported incidents across the Brussels region in alone. These shootings are linked to gang warfare and drug trafficking, creating a climate of fear for residents and local businesses. One anonymous resident described the situation as a “nightmare,” noting the open sale of drugs and the presence of armed individuals in the neighborhood. Another resident reported finding syringes and knives on their doorstep, and described people attempting to sleep in their hallway while under the influence of drugs.
The broader context, as outlined in a report on crime and pollution in Charleroi , reveals a growing perception of rising crime, with residents particularly worried about property theft and drug trafficking. The report, available via ExploreCity.life, highlights a specific fear of car theft and home burglaries. This perception of increased risk is driving a sense of insecurity and impacting residents’ quality of life.
In Charleroi, prosecutors are taking a firm stance on crime, recently requesting an eight-year jail term for a man who intentionally set fire to his sister’s garage, as reported by Brussels Times. The fire occurred on , and an expert determined it was deliberately started. This case underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating criminal activity in the region.
While long-term trends offer some reassurance, the recent surge in specific crimes and the palpable anxiety among residents suggest that addressing these concerns will require a multifaceted approach. Increased police presence, targeted interventions to combat drug trafficking, and community-based initiatives to address the root causes of crime will likely be necessary to restore a sense of security and improve the quality of life for residents of Charleroi and Anderlecht.
