© picture alliance / Jochen Tack | Jochen Tack
No seaside resort in Belgium is more fashionable than Knokke, just across the border with the Netherlands, but its status as a fashionable seaside resort is increasingly threatened by the disturbances caused mainly by young people from Brussels and northern France.
On hot days, Knokke struggles with crowds, disturbances, and a growing sense of insecurity caused mainly by visitors from Brussels and northern France. A report in the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws highlights how the police, the hospitality industry, and residents are trying to keep the exclusive seaside resort livable, even though tourism keeps the local economy afloat.
According to hospitality business owners and residents, hot days lead to more noise, drunkenness, litter, public urination, and sometimes intimidating behavior on the beach and the water front. In the past, young people from major cities sought relief from the heat in recreational areas, but due to the problems they caused there, those areas resorted to requiring reservations and implementing access controls. However, the beach belongs to everyone, and to prevent problems, the police are deploying extra patrols. “By increasing police visibility on the streets, we want to instill confidence in the public and intervene quickly if problems arise,” said Police Chief Steven Desmet to the newspaper.
During the busy summer months, the local police also receive support from officers from northern France and the Netherlands, as Dutch youths are also causing disturbances in Knokke.
The mayor of Knokke says the local government is taking action. “The city dwellers’ behavior primarily creates a subjective feeling of insecurity,” said Mayor Cathy Coudyser in a written response to the newspaper. “We are using all legal means available to us as a local government to address disturbances and potential criminal activity. But we cannot prohibit anyone from coming to the coast.”
Tension persists between Knokke’s glamorous image and the reality of an overcrowded summer resort. Some residents warn against stigmatization, but at the same time, there are calls for stricter adherence to the rules so that Knokke can remain “Knokke.”
Picture: © picture alliance / Jochen Tack | Jochen Tack