735 People Checked in Overnight Crackdown at Belgian-French Border
Dec 1, 2025
Category: Belgium Border and Security EU France News
Police checked 734 people during a large overnight operation along the Belgian‑French border on Friday, responding to rising cross‑border crime in the area.
Border checks target crime surge
An overnight police operation between 7 p.m. November 21 and 1 a.m. November 22 led to the inspection of 734 people along the Belgian-French border.
The checks aimed to address rising cross-border criminal activity, including human smuggling, drug trafficking, and theft by mobile criminal groups.
The operation was conducted by Belgium’s federal police in West Flanders and Hainaut, in collaboration with French police forces. The checks were carried out at control points on both sides of the border.
The command center for the operation was located at the Centre de Coopération Policière et Douanière (CCPD) in Doornik. The CCPD is a joint Belgian-French coordination hub for police and customs cooperation.
Several local police zones were involved, including Westkust, Arro Ieper, Spoorkin, Vlas, Grensleie, Comines-Warneton, Mouscron, and Val de l’Escaut.
Key results of sweep
According to federal police, six judicial reports were drawn up during the operation. One person was arrested for questioning after being flagged in police records.
Two individuals were administratively detained for disturbing public order. Small quantities of cannabis were also confiscated.
Additionally, 67 traffic violations were recorded. These included 13 cases of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Nineteen drivers had their licenses revoked on the spot, and four uninsured vehicles were seized.
Authorities respond to border crime
The Belgian federal police noted that cross-border crime in the region poses significant challenges. These include human smuggling, drug trafficking, and the activities of mobile organized theft groups.
The police described the coordinated action as a way to send a strong message that borders cannot act as safe zones for illegal activity.
No major disruptions
The large-scale checks occurred mostly during nighttime hours. There were no reports of major public disruptions or traffic congestion.
Officers at the checkpoints conducted ID verification and inspected vehicles passing through.
Criminal networks, border mobility
Authorities have pointed to an increase in mobile criminal operations that exploit the open borders within the Schengen Area. These groups often use back roads, switch license plates, or cross borders frequently to avoid detection.
While specific figures on long-term trends were not included in the operation summary, Belgian police have emphasized that such joint actions help to reinforce border control in areas where mobility is frequently used to escape jurisdictional enforcement.
The CCPD in Doornik continues to play a key role in coordinating actions between Belgian and French police. The center allows for real-time communication, information sharing, and the planning of joint operations like the one conducted on November 21–22.
Technology to improve future border checks
Belgian and French authorities are expected to increasingly rely on the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) as part of broader EU efforts to modernize border security.
The EES is an automated IT system that registers non-EU nationals each time they cross external EU borders. It began operating on October 12, 2025, and is being gradually introduced across European border checkpoints.
The system records biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images, replacing manual passport stamps. EES is designed to reduce wait times, prevent overstays, and support investigations into serious crimes.
The ETIAS, set to launch in late 2026, will require travelers from visa-exempt countries to obtain electronic authorization before entering the Schengen Area.
The ETIAS authorization is valid for three years or until the passport expires and will be mandatory for short-term stays up to 90 days. It does not guarantee entry but enables pre-screening of travelers before arrival.
Both EES and ETIAS are managed by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security, and justice.
Closing the loop
The operation’s results underline how police on both sides of the Belgian-French border are trying to curb rising cross-border crime. By checking hundreds of people in one night, authorities aimed to show a coordinated response that matters for safety in the region.
The focus now is on continued cooperation as both countries plan similar actions in the months ahead.