Attack against a VIP
The following people are considered VIPs:
- Members of the Belgian Royal family
- Foreign heads of state and government, and members of their families
- Members of Belgian and foreign governments
- Belgian key personnel not covered by other categories
- Chiefs of Staff of foreign armies
- Presidents and senior officials of international organisations
These include attacks on VIPs in Belgium (Belgians and foreign nationals) and attacks on Belgians abroad.
Risks and causes
Causes
Consequences
What can you do?
There are no specific recommendations for this risk.
Check out our general advice to follow before, during, and after an emergency.
Impact and probability
The figures relating to probability and impact describe an attack on a VIP of major magnitude. The BNRA theoretically describes such a scenario as follows:
- A VIP is physically attacked by a single assailant, in the form of a punch, a cake thrown in the face or hate speech directed at the VIP.
- The aim of the attack is to convey a political message or express frustration, resulting in a minor impact on the prominent person, i.e. mild shock or injury.
How should you interpret these results?
Within the BNRA, experts assessed three scenarios for each risk: considerable, major or extreme. On each page, you will find the results of the scenario with the highest score based on the combination of likelihood and impact. This does not mean that this scenario will occur or is the most likely. Read more here about how to correctly interpret the results.
Probability
Strong
Human impact
Very weak
Societal impact
Very weak
Environmental impact
No impact
Financial impact
Very weak
What do the authorities do?
All VIPs benefit from individual protection measures, from the moment they arrive in our country until they leave. These protective measures are worked out on the basis of a threat and risk analysis. The National Crisis Center works closely with the Federal Police and CUTA to this end.
Once the measures have been decided on, local police zones are responsible for implementing them. For example, the police close tunnels to ensure fast, safe journeys, and escort VIPs to their destinations. The Federal Police also have various responsibilities to guarantee VIP security. For example, it provides personal protection for certain VIPs and supports local police zones when necessary.
CUTA also provides ad hoc and strategic threat assessments on a scale of 1 to 4.
- Level 1 - the threat is low
- Level 2 - the threat is moderate
- Level 3 - the threat is serious
- Level 4 - the threat is very serious
Based on these analyses, visible and less visible precautionary and protective measures are taken to protect the population, individuals and important institutions