The Flemish minister for Brussels, Pascal Smet, had a heated exchange of words with Brussels Region minister-president Charles Picqué, whom he accused of inaction. Smet also said he was “scandalised” by statements by Brussels mayor Freddie Thielemans, who was seen by many as minimising the problem. The Brussels mayors, most of them French speaking, oppose the unification of the six zones – a policy supported by virtually all Flemish parties.

Flemish politicians deny there is a community aspect to the disagreement. Deputy prime-minister Guy Vanhengel, who lives in Evere, said the choice of a single zone was simply common sense. “This is about the safety of all the people of Brussels,” he said. “It is not a power grab by the Flemish on Brussels”. Both he and Smet have strongly hinted that “reorganisation” will be a condition of any extra financing required by the capital.

The French-speaking mayors are also critical of the need for Brussels police officers to be bilingual, which they say makes recruitment extremely difficult. The rule means that 40% of the officers serving in the city are from elsewhere in the country, as Brussels cannot meet the need.

The police statement also attacks “incomprehensible judicial decisions”, which lead to “an atmosphere of impunity” in some areas. That problem raised its head again at the weekend, when four minors accused of bag-snatching in Anderlecht had to be released when there were no places available in the detention centre.

The Brussels prosecutor’s office claimed the youth magistrate in charge of the case had phoned around the various centres only to be told there was no room. However, the French community minister responsible for the centres themselves, Evelyne Huytebroeck, said there were five or six places free. Interior minister Annemie Turtelboom “regretted” the release of the thieves. Justice minister Stefaan De Clerck stressed that it was the responsibility of the French community to ensure places were available.

Police representatives found the decision objectionable as the police had made considerable efforts to meet demands for zero tolerance in Anderlecht by increasing patrols and making great efforts to ensure coverage of the quarters, like the Kuregem district, that had been described as no-go areas.

The policy of zero tolerance is likely to encounter the same problem in the case of adult offenders. The police may patrol the streets with additional zeal, but the courts are reluctant to respond. According to Luc Hennart, the chief judge of the court of first instance, there are not enough judges to cope with extra cases of street crime. “My judges are already overwhelmed,” he said. “And I give priority to fighting serious crime and important financial cases.”