Brussels neighborhood's nighttime closure brings quiet nights but shifts violence to daytime

Three months after implementing a strict nighttime closure for bars, snack bars, and night shops in Brussels' troubled Brabantwijk, a mixed picture emerges: nights are quieter, but violence appears to have shifted to earlier hours.

The measure, which requires establishments to close between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., was introduced on April 1 as part of a special security plan to restore calm and ease the burden on police during late hours. The closure has since been extended for another three months, reportedly at the request of residents, with some adjustments.

According to the Schaerbeek municipal government, an evaluation based on police data and feedback from residents and businesses indicates a generally positive trend. Police data from the Brussels-North zone suggests a decrease in crime and serious violent incidents during the mandated closure hours. The proportion of registered crimes occurring between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. within the perimeter fell from 23% in the first quarter of 2026 to 7.7% in May.

However, police also noted a concerning shift. "We observe a displacement of violent incidents towards the late afternoon and early evening, before the mandatory closing time," the police reported. While the overall number of incidents during the night has decreased, assaults remain high in the area during other hours.

The nighttime closure has not been without opposition. A group of 20 local business owners has formally notified the municipality of Schaerbeek of potential lost income, particularly affecting establishments catering to late-night patrons. The cabinet of Mayor Martin de Brabant acknowledged the economic consequences for some businesses and stated that possibilities for compensation are currently being investigated.

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Er is minder lawaai op straat, mensen kunnen slapen” versus “het geweld is verschoven”.