The Federal Finance Department, for whom the customs officers work refuses to go into any detail, but says that “there are indications of bullying and threats”, the Finance Department’s Francis Adyns told VRT News.

"Consequently, the Head of Department has taken the decision to make them surrender their weapons temporarily”.

Mr Adyns stresses that the customs officers can function perfectly well without firearms. "They have other weapons such as truncheons. Moreover, the customs officers are always in the vicinity of police officers that will still be armed.”

The Federal Finance Department has opened an investigation into bullying and threatening behaviour.

"The temporary measures will be lifted as soon as the invesigation has been completed”, Mr Adyns added.