My family will need to take the Ryan Air bus to Charleroi at 4:20 am. I have read that there are some safety issues around this train station. Muggings, pick pockets etc.

We are staying at the Renaissance Brussels.
Will we be able to arrange for a taxi this early in the morning and will they let us wait until the bus arrives? Is there a better way to do this?

Thanks for your help. Laurie

I'm not sure there's a train station in the world that might not have an occassional mugging or pick pocket. I've never heard of Brussels being worse than any other.

Actually, Patrick, Brussels Midi/Zuid was a notorious pickpocket/mugging site until about a year or so ago. For a while, they were averaging more than 30 wallets/purses stolen a *day*. Especially on Sunday mornings, when there were no security patrols until after 9 am.
However, that changed after several high ranking EU officials living in Brussels also became victims (which puts paid to the chorus line that only the ignorant/stupid/unaware get pickpocketed). They squawked loudly enough for action to finally be taken.
Now, security is much improved and very visible. There are almost always police around these days, usually with K9 patrols. Crime in the station is way down.
Nonetheless, be more careful than usual that early in the morning. You will have to take a cab to the train station (no mass transit running that early, as far as I know). Have the hotel arrange the taxi for you. Find out which door the Ryan Air bus will be at and have the taxi drop you off as close to that as possible. You can get the taxi driver to wait, but you'll have to pay for his time while he waits. Cabs in Brussels aren't that expensive, fortunately.
BTilke (Brussels)

Thank you for your reply, BTilke. We will take a cab from the hotel to the train station and have them wait until the bus arrives.

Will the hotel conciergie know which door the Ryan Air bus leaves from or how can I get this information before we go? Thank you! Laurie

Hello BTILKE, The Ryan Air website says the bus leaves from Gare du Midi at the corner of Rue de France de l'Instruction.

Will these be specific enough instructions that the taxi driver will know which door to take us to?

Thank you for your help! Laurie