Residents of the Cureghem district in Anderlecht, Brussels, have issued an open letter urging authorities to intervene over what they describe as worsening drug-related violence and organised crime, accusing local institutions of prolonged neglect, The Brussels Times reports.
The letter, published by residents represented by Respect Cureghem, warns that repeated shootings and gang activity have made daily life increasingly unsafe. Around 25,000 people live in Cureghem—nearly a fifth of Anderlecht’s population—but the signatories say the district has no direct representation on the municipal council, which they argue exemplifies what they call “institutional neglect.”
Residents are calling for tougher action against drug trafficking and armed violence, as well as investment in public spaces comparable to other neighbourhoods in Brussels. They stress that the insecurity is not a localised issue, warning that drug violence in Cureghem reflects a broader problem affecting the capital as a whole and requiring political accountability.
Anderlecht mayor Fabrice Cumps acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but said that no mayor could resolve such deep-rooted social problems alone, adding that he works daily to support residents.
According to Brussels police, the capital recorded 96 shootings in 2025, resulting in eight deaths—the highest annual total on record—with most incidents linked to drug-related violence.
