On the Belgian coast, the seaside resort of Knokke is confronted, following dark, with overflows and sometimes with scenes of violence. Many Dutch minors cross the border to come and drink beer in Belgium. Indeed, in the Netherlands, it takes 18 years to drink beer. With us, you can order it from the age of 16. In an attempt to curb the phenomenon, the Belgian and Dutch police have decided to work together.
For the past few weeks, the terraces have been overwhelmed in Knokke. In the cafes, a majority of Dutch. We are a stone’s throw from the border. Here, the beer flows freely.
“I think it’s great here to have fun and drink a little beer together”says a Dutch teenager. “My friends are here. I heard it was nice for everything but also to be able to drink”confides a young Dutch woman.
A surge that created overflows in previous years as in archive images (see below). Already last year, the Knokke police had been supported by the Dutch mounted police. This year, the police of the two countries are still collaborating but with the dogs.
“We have a very direct way of speaking and communicating with young people. For us in the Netherlands, it’s normal. Here it’s different. And so our presence makes things easier”, says Dutch canine police officer Nick Klaver.
A plus for the Belgian police. “The Dutch police are a source of information for us. Thanks to their technology, we can quickly identify a Dutch suspect in the event of problems”says Steve Desmet, the head of the Damme – Knokke-Heist police force.
A collaboration that continues until Sunday. It will then be assessed.
