Reporters freed after weapons arrest

The reporters were arrested in Brussels

Three News of the World journalists have been released without charge after being arrested and cautioned by Belgian police.

The reporters from the Sunday newspaper were held on Thursday for having knives and guns ahead of Euro 2000, which kicks off on Saturday.

The three, who were working on a story about the availability of weapons in Belgium, were detained after posing in a Brussels park with hunting knives and a crossbow they had bought.

Some British newspapers have said Belgium is not prepared to cope with possible hooliganism at Euro 2000, which is being co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

The News of the World said the three men were held for the maximum 24 hours before being released.

A spokeswoman said: "Our journalists were investigating the widespread availability of lethal weapons when they were detained by the police.

"Once the police were satisfied that our team were engaged in a legitimate journalistic exercise, they were set free unconditionally and they have been assured they can remain in Belgium with their official accreditation intact to cover the Euro 2000 story."

The spokeswoman added: "It is apparent that there was a misunderstanding - happily, our journalists are free to get on with their work."

Weapons

A Brussels police spokesman said: "Nobody can carry weapons without a valid reason or authorisation.

"They were carrying hunting knives and they were not hunting so they were breaking the law."

A British embassy official said: "Here in Belgium you cannot carry such weapons without a hunting permit and you can only walk around with such weapons in a hunting area.

"Clearly, Brussels is not an ideal place to go hunting."

The embassy official said the outcome demonstrated that Euro 2000 security was working.

"The message to visitors to Belgium during Euro 2000 is that they should realise that swift action will be taken if they fail to obey the law.

"The local police have extra public order powers and it is inadvisable for anyone to carry weapons."