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🇧🇪 Belgium /Elections & Politics

Hasselt Combats Aggression Against City Staff in New Campaign

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The city of Hasselt is launching a campaign to combat increasing aggression against its staff.
  • Public-facing services, particularly the swimming pool, have seen a sharp rise in verbal and physical altercations.
  • The campaign features city employees and includes increased security measures to promote respect.

Hasselt is launching a major respect campaign to address a surge in verbal and physical aggression directed at city employees. The initiative aims to combat a growing problem that has made even seemingly pleasant summer days a source of dread for staff, particularly at the Kapermolen swimming pool.

People are less content and come not just to swim for fun anymore.

— Willem SlechtenThe head lifeguard described the changing atmosphere at the Kapermolen swimming pool, where visitors are increasingly confrontational.

Head lifeguard Willem Slechten observes a significant shift in atmosphere, noting that visitors are less content and frequently disregard rules. When staff members address problematic behavior, they are often met with defiance. Mayor Steven Vandeput confirms that while physical violence is rare, damage to property and escalating verbal abuse are becoming increasingly common, impacting staff well-being.

The aggression unfortunately does not stop at verbal abuse. It often starts with shouting, yelling, and swearing, but sometimes escalates to physical aggression.

— Steven VandeputThe mayor detailed the escalation of aggressive behavior towards city employees.

Recent data from a city-wide employee well-being survey reveals a worrying trend. In the first six months of 2026, Hasselt recorded 63 reports of external aggression, a stark increase from the 32 reported throughout all of 2025. Public-facing departments like social services (75 percent), the 't Scheep service desk (63 percent), and the swimming pool (48 percent) show alarmingly high numbers. The mayor described this as a structural issue affecting the entire public sector.

Our employees are not politicians. They simply serve all citizens and deserve respect.

— Steven VandeputThe mayor highlighted the role of city staff and the need for public respect towards them.

"Our employees are not politicians," Vandeput emphasized. "They simply serve all citizens and deserve respect." He added that physical aggression is never acceptable. The campaign features real city employees to confront citizens directly with the human behind the uniform or desk, prompting reflection on their interactions. Alongside awareness, Hasselt is enhancing enforcement, with security personnel now present at the swimming pool entrance to maintain order. "If people think it's okay to cross the line, we no longer have a pleasant society," Vandeput concluded.

If people think it's okay to cross the line, we no longer have a pleasant society.

— Steven VandeputThe mayor concluded by emphasizing the societal impact of unchecked aggressive behavior.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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