Sometimes I have to take train quite late (11 or 12 pm). And it’s always scary, because the number of so-called “jongeren” just rolls over. Crowds of young people of African and North African appearance simply wander around the cars, entering at the Brussels South station and getting off either at Brussels Central or Brussels Nord. They are noisy, aggressive and there are always a lot of them. Of course, they don’t pay the tickets either.
Fun fact that they are “blown away” immediately as soon as train leaves Brussels.
I have read many times about the robbery of evening train passengers by “jongeren” (for example, [the case already in 2023 with the singer Koen Krucke](https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20230109_93511512)), and even more stories from people who did not make it to the press.
Has this ever happened to you? What are the Belgian railways doing to prevent this?
And finally, what can be done to reduce the possible damage? Keychain alarms come to mind. It is a pity that there are no security posts on Belgian trains, then you could just sit next to them.
21 comments
Let me put it to you this way: I work in a team of 5 and I’m the only one going to the office by car. The other 4 prefer the train. One of us hasn’t been robbed or stabbed. Guess who? Indeed.
On my very first day I was told to never walk to the train station alone. During regular working hours it’s considered safe because there are many commuters but if I had to do overtime I could call a taxi or security and they would walk with me.
It’s called a hellhole for a reason.
I’ve commuted by train to Brussels for the largest part of the past 15 years. Personally, nothing has happened to me, nor to any colleagues of mine. Plenty of sketchy looking characters on the train, sure, and I think I’ve witnessed two bag snatchings over that time…
So is there crime? Yes. Are you at a high risk of being a victim? Not really, no.
As a youngster, I used to live in rough areas.
I always carried two wallets, a real one with my money, id and banc cards and a ‘fake’ one with useless items in it.
Never got robbed though as I was pretty ‘street smart’ and always aware of my surroundings.
Once it came close I think as someone started walking to me in a threatening way, making eye contact with one hand in his jacket pocket. I also had a weapon in my hand/jacket pocket so I just briefly showed him what’s up and we each went our way. What can I say, I was young, brave and had nothing to lose. Wouldn’t recommend using this tactic on a group of people as they will steal it and use it on you 10/10. For your safety, don’t be a hero. Try to avoid places like this and if you can’t, mind your own business. A glance at someone often is already enough for them to know if you’re an easy target or not. Stay safe, Reddit stranger.
Grown man scared of going on trains?
no, not really
Now I am scared.
I am an immigrant. Sometimes I transit Brussels around 10pm (w/o exiting the train).
Should I worry?
If it is a popular place for a premeditated group robbery (pretty serious offence), what the hell Belgian police is doing? It is pretty easy to have a “bait” — a covered cop with a laptop bag.
It the bag gets stolen / the fake passenger gets assaulted — the train can stop and let a SWAT group in.
I’ve been taking the train in Brussels daily for the past 12 years, often at late hours (10 pm).
I’ve never been robbed, attacked or even threatened. So no, I’m not afraid.
However, I must say this was always in the 3 big stations. Plenty of people there, even after office hours.
I would NOT go alone the smaller ones like Bockstael, Simonis or Brussel-West after office hours.
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Yeah, there’s no chance in hell I’m ever taking the train at night. Lots of sketchy people in general.
I’ve had some aggressive behavior, demanding money, but ultimately nothing came of it. I’m not afraid of taking the train late, did it plenty of times. But I would recommend anyone to only pick wagons where there’s at least some other people. There’s safety in numbers. Actual robberies are more likely to happen when there’s no one around
I will be worried about 11pm but 12pm is not much of a problem as it is broad daylight
Nah, u just racist <3
“Afraid” is a big word, but I’m aware that it can be an issue.
And no, I wouldn’t like to be in the Brussels North station around midnight. It’s fine in Brussels South station, since there’s usually a lot of people around. But I’ve gotten chased/followed by some freak in Brussels North station the one time I had to be there so late 🙂 he left me alone after I managed to find a group of people and pretended to ask someone if they knew how late the train was coming though. Always fun!
I haven’t been robbed there yet, but I’ve got friends who got robbed and I’ve witnessed the entire “types of men who try to fight the train conductor when he asks for the ticket” more than once.
There’s more security in the Brussels North station lately, but I don’t know if it’s also that level of security at night. I think a big help would to simply arrest and remove everyone who seems hellbent on harassing people, or dealing drugs there.
It’s perfectly fine during the day though. Just ignore the fact that they have to remind you there’s “zakenrollers” in the station multiple times a day as if that’s a normal thing.
never hear about a case. it never have cross my mind it could happen.
I’ve had my share of shitshows, but they were usually at the station, not in the train. The most extreme thing I witnessed in a train was a group of people humping a sexdoll. At a station, though, i have been death-threatened before.
Typical flemish scared of immigrants. Oh no they didn’t buy a ticket!! Boohoo!
I was once picking up a friend at the Midi train station, with my partner and my 2 year old son, and we wanted to take the elevator up as we were with a stroller. Two of these men pushed into the small elevator with us and did not want to let us out, but actes as this was normal. I kept pushing and they finally released us. They took my phone from my pocket, bit I guess it was too old of a model so they have it back and than speeded away. I am still scared to go into elevators in any Brussels station. Fortunately I dont live there any more. This incident was one of the major factors of us moving to Flanders.
I dont know how to defend myself but I am glad You asked this question because I would bebhappy not to feel that helpless.
From what I see in the streets and all the comments here there is a problem indeed. Or 2 problems, one is the lack of safety and the other the lack of police in these areas. Something should be done. And everyone should pay for train tickets, specially the ones that are using it to commit crimes : )
Itt: men saying they’re not scared and acting as if that’s that
I’d like to hear from the other 50% of the population.
Yeah. Every time I see the train conductor coming and I know I’m being robbed but I give the money anyway.