The number of crimes in Belgium has noticeably decreased across most categories, but one of them is showing steady growth and causing increasing concern among authorities. A detailed overview of statistics, trends, and causes — in our material.
Crime in Belgium: overall decline with caveats
Official statistics from the Belgian Federal Police for 2024 showed: 902,059 crimes were registered in the country, which is 31,903 cases fewer than in 2023. This is tangible progress — a decline is recorded in almost all major types of offenses.
Thus, the number of thefts and extortions amounted to 260,638 incidents, which is 6.4% less than the previous year. Cases of bodily harm decreased by 0.5% and amounted to 88,016 cases, while the number of frauds decreased by 2.16%, to 73,834 incidents.
Even such serious crimes as murders and attempts show a stable level — 1,461 registered cases, most of which relate to attempts rather than completed murders.
By region, the picture is as follows:
| Region | Number of crimes |
| Flanders | 443,540 |
| Wallonia | 294,787 |
| Brussels-Capital Region | 163,713 |
This distribution confirms: the decline in crime is a nationwide trend, although local differences still persist.
Cybercrime — a new threat
Against the backdrop of the overall decline in offenses, one category demonstrates the opposite trend — cybercrime. In 2024, 64,995 incidents were registered, which is 3.5% more than in 2023, when 62,762 cases were recorded. If compared to 2014, the growth is staggering — 281.5%. This is the fastest-growing segment of crime in the country.
Experts explain this surge for several reasons:
- more and more aspects of life are moving to the digital environment — from shopping and banking operations to correspondence and data storage;
- criminals actively use social engineering, phishing, fake websites, and account hacks;
- law enforcement agencies do not always manage to adapt investigation methods to rapidly changing schemes.
At the same time, cybercrimes are often transnational in nature — criminals can operate from abroad, and evidence is stored on servers in other countries. This seriously complicates investigations and requires international cooperation.
Brussels remains vulnerable
Although the capital region records fewer total crimes than Flanders or Wallonia, Brussels remains a high-risk area.
In the central districts of the city, there is a high concentration of street thefts, drug trafficking, and violent incidents. According to police estimates, in the pedestrian zone of Brussels, over 3,000 thefts were recorded in the first eight months of 2024, and on public transport facilities — the highest density of such crimes in the entire country.
Experts link this to the dense urban environment, large flow of tourists, migration, and social inequality, which create a favorable environment for street crimes and organized groups.
What this means for citizens and authorities
For residents of Belgium and visitors, the general data may be perceived as good news: overall, the country is becoming safer, especially in terms of traditional crimes — thefts, robberies, and violence. However, the growth of cybercrime shows that the threat has simply shifted to another plane.
For citizens, this means the need for increased digital caution:
- protect personal data and bank accounts,
- use two-factor authentication,
- avoid suspicious links and messages,
- update antivirus systems and software.
For the state, the challenge is obvious — to adapt the law enforcement system to new realities.
Additional investments are needed in digital forensics, training of police personnel, modernization of the legislative framework, and close cooperation with EU partners.
In addition, it is important to maintain attention to the social and economic factors of crime: poverty, unemployment, and migrant integration directly affect the level of offenses in cities, including Brussels.
Trends and forecasts
The decline in the total number of crimes reflects the systematic work of the Belgian police, strengthening preventive measures, and the use of modern surveillance technologies.
In the future, experts predict that physical crime will continue to decrease — partly due to digitalization, partly due to more effective security measures.
However, in the digital space, the situation will remain tense. The number of attacks on individuals and companies related to phishing, hacks, and financial fraud is likely to continue growing. In the coming years, cybersecurity will become the main focus of domestic policy in the field of law and order.
Conclusion
Belgium is confidently moving toward reducing traditional crime — the number of thefts, frauds, and violent incidents is decreasing year by year.
But in place of old threats come new ones: cybercrime is becoming the main challenge of the 21st century.
A country where almost every sphere of life is digitized needs a new strategy for protecting citizens — not only on the streets, but also online.
While authorities strive to maintain the positive trend, success will depend on how quickly the security system can restructure and become truly modern.
Crime, like society, is changing — and only timely adaptation will allow Belgium to remain a country where living is becoming safer.
