The Schengen Agreement regulates that police officers from one member state can pursue fugitive suspects across the border of another member state without permission if they are unable to reach local authorities or if these are unable to be at the scene in due time.
However, every member state is still free to regulate the exact parameters of cross-border pursuits on their own territory.
Luxembourg and France have now signed a new agreement, which regulates that there is no limit to cross-border pursuits of suspects who were caught in the act. Previously, there was a limit of ten kilometres for such cases, which has now been abolished. In case of a pursuit, police are still compelled to inform the French border authorities and cooperate with them.
The new agreement is hoped to improve management of cross-border crime, explained Minister Kox and his French counterpart Minister Gérald Darmain.
The new agreement came about thanks to a law filed in April this year. The same regulations are already in place with neighbouring Germany, while cooperation with Belgian authorities is set to be regulated through a new Benelux treaty.
