The Mechelen-Willebroek area (Belgium, Antwerp province) is already being compared to the Bermuda Triangle. Only in this area, several thefts related to van break-ins are registered daily. Moreover, these incidents involve not only private vehicles but also transport for small and large companies. All these events seem very mysterious and inexplicable. After all, there are no similar problems in other cities of the country.
Mechelen Police Urges Vigilance
An interesting fact is that instead of reporting arrests of criminals, the Belgian police have introduced a whole set of rules for van owners. And this is not a joke. The local police faced such a problem for the first time and simply do not know how to solve it. The law enforcement recommendations are as follows:
- When parking your vehicle, make sure all windows and doors are closed. Be sure to check the electronic lock activation from the remote control.
- It is better to park in a garage at home or in a guarded parking lot overnight.
- Vans should not be parked in unlit areas – only in well-lit places.
- Regardless of the parking location, always take all valuables with you.
Belgians have already reacted to such police statements and even offered sensible advice to authorities. People are in good humor, and the logic is clearly visible:
- “Urgently involve detective Pierre Nyman (the hero of the film ‘Crimson Rivers’) – this guy will find the criminals in 24 hours”.
- “When leaving the van in a parking lot, unload all tools and items into a cart. And don’t forget to put everything back in the morning”.
- “Always carry lamps for street lighting poles; you will need them to improve lighting on public roads”.
And there are hundreds of such comments. All of them are related to the police recommendations in Mechelen. Jokes aside, Belgian taxpayers are deeply concerned about the authorities’ inaction. After all, vans are used by construction companies, plumbers, cleaning service providers. And practically all business owners use this type of transport. The situation in the Mechelen area is indeed serious.
