Station districts in Belgium and the Netherlands face rising drug violence and traffic safety concerns

In Antwerp's Noordstation area, open‑air drug dealing and violent clashes between rival groups armed with knives and machetes have become a daily reality, with residents describing the scene as a "hallucinatory" wave of intimidation and police seeming unable to intervene. Local politician Pascal Smet downplayed the scope, claiming the trouble is limited to a few streets, a statement that has been sharply contested.

In The Hague's Stationsbuurt, a recent police sweep uncovered a range of illegal activities, including unlawful construction, welfare fraud, a house used for illicit sex work and numerous traffic violations. Residents, led by Joost Schuttelaar, reported persistent noise from speeding vehicles and quads, urging the city council to adopt a permanent police presence and broader safety measures. Councilor Otto Thors (D66) pledged to push for sustained enforcement and improved urban design to restore livability.