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Public safety must not be privatised, justice minister Sam Tanson says. Library photo: Sebastien Goossens 

Agents reportedly “evacuated” people from private and public spaces, the justice ministry said in answer to a parliamentary question published on 19 May. However, they have no authority to tell people to move on or force them to leave.

These activities aren’t covered by the agreement signed with the city, justice minister Sam Tanson said. The ministry issued a warning to the firm. Should this type of incident happen again, the agreement with the City of Luxembourg can be revoked, Tanson said.

“Public security cannot be privatised,” the justice minister said, adding that new contracts signed by city officials would also be scrutinised.

The measure has faced previous criticism from the government, which has increased police patrols in the area and aims to work with social workers to help reduce drug-taking, dealing and crime in the area around the train station.

Official crime statistics haven’t gone up, interior security minister Henri Kox told lawmakers during a meeting on 6 May, despite a spate of muggings and serial theft of jewellery.

City of Luxembourg opposition counsellor from déi Lénk have filed legal appeals with an administrative court against the use of the private security agents.