Violent Robberies Overshadow EthCC in Brussels, as Crimewave Grips City

One of Europe's biggest crypto conferences has been overshadowed by a spate of violent robberies.

EthCC normally takes place in Paris—but this year, it was held in Brussels.

It seems opportunistic criminals have wasted little time in targeting attendees, perhaps hoping their victims would have deep pockets.

Unfortunately, this wasn't an isolated incident—with attendees given advice on how to keep themselves safe.

Other visitors were urged not to wear expensive watches or particularly flashy items—with data suggesting that Brussels has one of the highest rates of robbery per 100,000 people on the continent.

There were some tongue-in-cheek takes on the situation, as one trader depicted getting ready to head for some breakfast:

Others are now calling for EthCC to be held in "safer" cities in future, with one arguing that other European cities have much lower crime rates.

It so happens that the next EthCC will be held in the French city of Cannes—best known for its film festival—in a development that would have been planned well before the crypto crime wave.

Attendees have reacted with relief to this news, with one revealing that he left Brussels early and never plans to return:

Official police figures show there was a sharp rise in crime across Belgium last year—especially in Brussels.

Some 62% of pickpocketing incidents took place in the capital, and the city was also home to 39% of violent and armed robberies. Criminology professor Jelle Janssens said:

"Police statistics do not mirror reality. On the one hand, they are a reflection of what police do. On the other hand, they represent the trust citizens have in the functioning of the police."

Some countries are now urging tourists to "remain vigilant" as the threat of organized crime grows, with the British government saying:

"There are regular incidents of violent crime among organised crime gangs involved in drug trafficking, particularly in Antwerp, Brussels and other large cities."

Earlier this year, Belgium's King Philippe also spoke of his concern at the uptick in incidents, with data showing that seven people were killed and 131 injured in drug-related violence across Brussels last year.

Jean Spinette, the mayor of the Saint-Gilles district, said it isn't just tourists who are exasperated by what's going on, but locals too.

"They have the impression that nothing is being done. The dealers move back in a minute. There's a feeling of total impunity. A feeling that they're safe from everything, that they’re taunting the police."

While it seems this is a wider issue, and not a sign of the crypto community being targeted specifically, conference organizers will undoubtedly end up thinking twice before throwing an event in Brussels. Attendees will probably feel the same.