Hoogstraten care home restricts access after incidents with unwanted visitors

Access to the Stede Akkers care home in Hoogstraten, Belgium, has been restricted to a single entrance following a series of incidents involving unwelcome visitors. The city has decided that all visitors must now report to the main reception area. This measure aims to improve control over who enters and leaves the facility.

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All visitors must now go through the main entrance so that the care home can more easily control who enters and leaves.

Four separate blocks make up the care home, each with its own entrance, but these have all been closed. The only remaining open entrance is for the cafeteria within the local service center, which is accessible during its operating hours. The mayor, Tinne Rombouts, stated that the situation has already stabilized somewhat since the new rule was implemented.

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The situation has already stabilized somewhat.

However, the city is prepared to take further action if the disturbances persist. "If the nuisance increases again, we are considering installing cameras," Rombouts explained. This would help identify the unwanted visitors. Despite the security concerns, the mayor emphasized the importance of a "homely atmosphere" and hopes to reopen the other entrances soon, noting that accessible entrances are part of that environment.

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If the nuisance increases again, we are considering installing cameras.