A locally integrated security unit for each municipality

Minister of Security and the Interior Jan Jambon is advocating increased efforts to set up local integrated security units (LIVC) in the fight against terror. Within the units, security services at the municipality level partner with education and youth assistance services, for example. “The intention is that we pick up on signals of radicalisation more quickly,” the Minister says. An important advantage is that this type of local unit can more easily develop a customised, individual approach.

The establishment of locally integrated security units was made possible further to the 2015 Circular on Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF). In these local units, an exchange of information takes place between the social and prevention services - Public Social Welfare Centres (OCMW), schools or neighbourhood outreach workers, for example - in tandem with administrative and judicial authorities. The new consultative body gathers monthly and is chaired by the mayor. “In the event of any worrying signals, the local team of experts also takes a look at how they need to go about tackling those risks: for example, whether a prevention programme ought to be launched or whether immediate police intervention is necessary,” Jan Jambon explains.

Not just for high-risk municipalities

Half of Belgian municipalities - 284 in total - currently already have a locally integrated security unit in place. These can be found in 213 of the 308 Flemish municipalities, 56 of the 262 Walloon municipalities and 15 of the 19 Brussels municipalities. “These are mainly municipalities which already see hotbeds of radicalisation on their territory,” Jan Jambon remarks. “If it were up to me, this kind of security unit would be mandatory for all municipalities as a preventative measure aimed at terror. However, in order to get this done this still has to first be discussed with the regions, which are also competent.” In Flanders, Minister for Local and Provincial Government Liesbeth Homans is already seeking to invest in seminars, training and manuals that will reinforce the LIVCs.