Man Arrested for Graffiti Spree on 18 Vehicles in Veurne

Police in Veurne, a city in West Flanders, Belgium, have arrested a 30-year-old local man suspected of spraying yellow graffiti on 18 vehicles and homes across the city. The suspect was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, according to police chief Geert Verslype of Politiezone Spoorkin.

The Incident

The vandalism occurred on the night of Friday, July 10, 2026, during the late evening hours. The suspect targeted properties in the Duinkerkestraat and surrounding streets, using a spray can to apply yellow and green paint to cars, homes, gates, and even a lighting pole.

“It concerns a total of 18 incidents,” Verslype told VRT NWS. “Paint was sprayed with a spray can on multiple cars, but also on homes, gates and a lighting pole. After investigation we were able to arrest a suspect. It concerns a man from Veurne who was under the influence during the acts. The man was questioned and released.”

Victim Impact

Residents discovered the damage on Saturday morning, July 11, and promptly reported it to the police. Mathias Polley, whose mother’s friend’s car was damaged, described the scene.

“The car of my mother’s friend was parked in the Duinkerkestraat,” Polley said. “Two stripes of graffiti were applied, on the hood and on the side of the car.”

The financial impact is significant for those affected. Polley estimated the damage to the single vehicle at approximately 500 euros, noting that the paint could not be removed by hand and that the garage was waiting for insurance approval before proceeding with repairs.

“In the case of the car, it easily amounts to several hundred euros,” Polley explained. “We tried to remove the paint ourselves but that didn’t work. Then we went to the garage but they can’t remove the paint yet because it first needs to be discussed with the insurance. The costs will likely amount to 500 euros soon.”

Investigation and Legal Process

Police from Politiezone Spoorkin, which covers Veurne, Alveringem, and Lo-Reninge, quickly identified and apprehended the suspect following the reports. After questioning, the man was released pending a decision from the public prosecutor’s office.

All victims have been or are being contacted by police and have the option to file civil claims to recover damages. According to HLN, the police chief expressed confidence that the case would proceed to prosecution.

“If there is no prosecution, it would become a GAS fine,” Verslype said, referring to Belgium’s municipal administrative sanctions used for minor offenses. “But we suspect that there will indeed be prosecution. And that would be a good thing.”

Broader Context

Veurne, a city of approximately 12,000 residents located near the French border in the Westhoek region, is not typically associated with such widespread vandalism. The incident appears to be an isolated act by an individual under the influence of alcohol, rather than part of a larger pattern of organized criminal activity.

The investigation was handled by Politiezone Spoorkin, the local police zone covering the municipalities of Veurne, Alveringem, and Lo-Reninge in West Flanders. Named after the Spoorkin stream that runs through the region, the zone’s officers were able to quickly identify and locate the suspect following the reports from residents on Saturday morning.

Understanding GAS Fines

In Belgium, GAS fines (Gemeentelijke Administratieve Sancties, or Municipal Administrative Sanctions) serve as an alternative to criminal prosecution for less serious infractions. These administrative penalties allow local authorities to address minor offenses without burdening the criminal justice system. The police chief’s comments suggest that given the scale of the vandalism — 18 separate incidents — criminal prosecution is the more likely outcome.

What’s Next

The public prosecutor’s office will determine whether to pursue criminal charges against the suspect. If prosecuted, the case could result in criminal penalties; if not, a GAS fine may be imposed as an alternative. Victims continue to work with their insurance companies and local garages to assess and repair the damage, with total costs across all 18 properties still to be determined. All affected residents have been or are being contacted by police and retain the right to file civil claims to recover their losses.