Belgian towns adopt vehicle seizure and identity checks to improve safety

The municipal councils of Balen, Dessel and Mol approved a new procedure that allows police to temporarily seize vehicles involved in serious dangerous driving. The mayor can order a seizure lasting at least 72 hours and up to six months, with each case requiring a separate mayoral decree and the offender bearing the costs.

In Geel, the city and the Geel‑Laakdal‑Meerhout police zone have extended systematic, temporary identity‑check operations that were first introduced in summer 2023. The measures target known trouble‑spots such as the city centre, local parks and nightlife areas, aiming to curb noise, vandalism, public drunkenness and other disturbances. Over 1,900 over‑incidents were recorded in 2025, and the checks will remain in force until early 2027, subject to evaluation.