FlixBus luggage thefts a 'recurring phenomenon'

Police have reported dealing with a growing number of thefts of luggage from FlixBus coach passengers around Brussels-North station.

Officers from the Brussels-North police zone managed to catch a luggage thief red-handed and return the suitcase to its rightful owner, but according to local police, this is a recurring phenomenon.

The most recent incident occurred at about 14.00 on Monday at the FlixBus stop on Boulevard Roi Albert II, Bruzz reports, where a thief tried to make off with a suitcase from the luggage compartment of a waiting bus.

How often luggage theft attempts occur is still unclear, but a spokesperson for police said it was far from uncommon.

“We know that it also happens regularly at other FlixBus stations, not just at Brussels North,” the spokesperson said.

Police therefore advise travellers to always stay alert when the luggage compartment is open, as its accessibility may attract would-be thieves.

The fact that FlixBus is a private company creates an additional difficulty for police when it comes to making interventions, as there are differences in terms of powers for patrols compared to interventions on public transport, such as with Stib or De Lijn.

“Talks are currently under way with the company to see how we can improve this situation,” said another spokesman for the Brussels-North police zone.