High-Quality Prevention Advice from the Federal Public Service Home Affairs in Belgium

The Federal Public Service Home Affairs in Belgium provides top-notch prevention advice to citizens, self-employed entrepreneurs, and providers of (semi-) public services on securing their homes, workspaces, or (semi-) public buildings against burglary.

Evaluating the Quality of Prevention Advice

The quality of prevention advice can be evaluated based on several key factors:

Effectiveness

• Recent research has shown that the domestic burglary prevention advisors’ advice is effective in preventing burglaries.
• Citizens carry out the advice to a large or complete extent, and they feel more secure after receiving the technical-preventive advice.

Objectivity

• The advisors provide objective advice, free from promotion of specific security products or services.

Tailoring

• The advice is tailored to the specific needs of each citizen, self-employed entrepreneur, or provider of (semi-) public services.

Comprehensive Approach

• The service takes a comprehensive approach to security and safety, addressing issues such as:
  • Neighbourhood mediation
  • Computer crime
  • Domestic safety (including fire safety and accident prevention)

Continuous Improvement

• Advisors are required to follow specialized training every two years to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in burglary prevention.

Access to Information

• The service provides access to a range of resources, including:
  • Publications
  • Online tools
  • Fiscal advantages for investments in security measures

Recognition

• The Belgian Security and Crime Prevention Award recognizes the most successful and appealing projects regarding crime prevention.

Conclusion

The Federal Public Service Home Affairs’ prevention advice is highly regarded due to its effectiveness, objectivity, tailoring, comprehensive approach, continuous improvement, access to information, and recognition of best practices.