BRUSSELS 

Belgium's federal government on Wednesday approved a preliminary draft law paving the way for the merger of Brussels' six police zones into a single force, a move authorities say will make the fight against crime in the capital more efficient.

The Cabinet endorsed the draft, which foresees the creation of one unified police zone covering the entire Brussels-Capital Region, replacing the current fragmented structure, Flemish-language broadcaster VRT reported.

Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said the surge in shootings in Brussels this year highlights the urgency of reforming the police organization.

"The current situation in Brussels demonstrates every day how necessary it is to have a single command structure and a single intervention force at the level of the capital, freed from the artificial boundaries that currently limit the effectiveness of law enforcement," Quintin said.

According to the minister, the merger is aimed at improving coordination, operational efficiency and responsiveness in tackling crime across the city.

The government will also increase financial support for the reform, raising the allocated budget from €55 million ($64 million) to €65 million ($76.6 million), Quintin announced.

If the draft law is definitively approved, the unified police zone would be established within 18 months of its enactment, with authorities targeting implementation sometime in 2027.

The draft law also outlines broader reforms at the national level, including plans to merge other police zones elsewhere in the country.