Aalst – Mayor Christoph D’Haese has reinstated a ban on gatherings at Stationsplein until October 31, 2025, implementing systematic identity checks and planning a permanent police post in response to ongoing unrest, reports 24brussels.
Following concerns regarding potential violence in the area, the city has taken decisive action after police identified calls from some young individuals of immigrant origin on social media encouraging gatherings at the square. The mayor issued an urgent order to enforce the ban, which aims to mitigate unrest and maintain public safety.
What measures is Aalst taking to prevent unrest at Stationsplein?
The mayor emphasized that public safety remains the city’s top priority.
“Young people from other cities and municipalities come to Aalst with bad intentions,”
said Christoph D’Haese, mayor (N-VA) of Aalst.
In conjunction with the ban, Aalst police are authorized to carry out systematic identity checks in the station district. D’Haese emphasized the importance of maintaining close cooperation with the public prosecutor’s office and mayors from neighboring municipalities. He stated that it is crucial to prevent individuals from disturbing public order and to keep troublemakers out of the area.
The city is also planning to establish a permanent police presence at the square. This step follows previous measures, as a similar ban was enforced in 2023 and was only lifted at the end of last year. City officials assert that these measures are essential to maintain order, prevent disorder, and protect one of Aalst’s busiest public spaces.
Over the past year, the Stationsplein has been a target of multiple security interventions. In addition to the gathering ban, the city implemented an alcohol prohibition in the station district on September 5, 2025, due to separate public nuisance concerns.
