Antwerp police to detain known troublemakers preemptively for up to 12 hours

Antwerp police have introduced a new guideline allowing the arrest of individuals identified as repeat nuisance creators, termed “claimers,” even when they are not actively breaking the law. Those detained can be held for the maximum twelve-hour administrative period, a step the force says will protect residents’ quality of life and channel undocumented persons to the Immigration Service while directing addicts to help.

The city’s mayor, Els van Doesburg, acknowledges that no compulsory mechanisms exist to make these people accept assistance, so the police intend the measure to act as strong encouragement. Implementation will cover the entire municipality but is primarily concentrated in the North District, an area already subject to intensified identity checks. The Human Rights League has condemned the policy as unlawful, noting that the Police Act permits administrative detention only when a person is actually disturbing the peace. Critics warn that detaining people pre-emptively undermines legal safeguards and could erode public trust in law enforcement.