Belgium/Obligation to attend school, minimum age to visit a café: the police of the Lower Meuse region make young people aware of the respect of the norms

The Basse-Meuse police zone has decided to carry out prevention actions targeting young people aged 12 to 18.

The aim is to remind them of the rules concerning compulsory schooling and the minimum age for going to cafés, i.e. 16 years old. The police also target drugs and their dangers.

Patrols will regularly check the streets and cafés of Visé, a city frequented by some 4,500 high school students. We followed a patrol this Thursday afternoon.

Regular checks in the streets and pubs

In Visé, classes resumed after the lunch break. First stop for the inspectors Denis Merenne and Rémi Dewandre: two cafés usually frequented by students. But at this hour, there are no more: "We won't be able to do this kind of control at the level of cafés. Nevertheless, there are a lot of groups of young people who are on the square" explain the policemen. Direction the square then. These young people finished earlier today. It is noted in their class diary.

As far as school obligations are concerned, these young people are in order. If they are not, or if the patrol notices drug use, what happens? " If they are on the public highway using drugs, the police will arrest them," explains Divisional Superintendent Alain Lambert, head of the police force. "We will also notify the parents, and they will come to the police station to pick up the children. As far as truancy is concerned, we will take the children back to the schools where they belong and the problem will then be handled by the teachers. Parents will also be notified."

A collaboration with schools and coffee shop patrons

To implement its actions, the police collaborate with schools and associations. Are coffee shop owners also considered partners? " Absolutely," confirms the divisional commissioner. "The first goal is to sensitize the youth, and in this context, they are our partners".

Serge Lowis is the owner of one of the cafés in Visé: "The approach of the police is positive" he acknowledges. "We encourage this kind of approach. We have always tried to do the best we could to make them aware of their responsibilities. The police coming with us is a plus."

Source: www.rtbf.be