Public transport security allowed to check ID

The 200 security agents of Brussels public transport company STIB have been granted the power to make people caught committing offences on the network produce their ID cards. Until now this was the preserve of the police, but the law was amended in July to tackle situations in which STIB staff were powerless if offenders refused to show identification documents. They will also be able to detain offenders while waiting for the police. STIB agents have received training for this purpose, and the company is about to begin a campaign informing passengers of the change in the law.