Luxembourg expands local police: now also in rural areas

The Luxembourg Ministry of the Interior and the police have unveiled a new initiative to strengthen public security - the introduction of a local police unit (unité de police locale) in the commissariat of Museldall. After positive results in Luxembourg and Esch-sur-Alzette, the experiment is now aimed at smaller localities.

The project will start on 1 June 2025 and will cover eight rural municipalities: Grevenmacher, Mertert, Manternach, Biwer, Flaxweiler, Wormeldange, Lenningen and Stadtbredimus. The main idea is to bring the police closer to the citizens not only geographically but also psychologically: through regular patrols, dialogue with local authorities and daily visible involvement.

According to Police Chief Pascal Peters, the patrols will be on duty during daytime hours from Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays if necessary. The patrols will supplement regular police routes, not replace them.

The work will be based on close co-ordination with municipalities. Before and after each duty, police officers are briefed and participate in "de-briefings" with local authorities, a format that has been successfully tested in cities.

Traditionally, rural areas have lacked a police presence - not because of a lack of threats, but because of low population density and limited resources. The authorities intend to change this perception by making the police not only a protector but also a social actor in the community.

In addition, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a strong local police force is an element of prevention, especially in the area of petty crime, family conflicts and teenage incidents. The proximity to people allows them to respond to signals before they escalate into serious incidents.