Security forces in Jeddah have arrested 2,643 individuals including 36 criminals, 570 beggars and 1,688 illegal workers, following a major campaign that targeted criminal hide-outs.

Police also arrested 74 illegal street vendors and 275 car cleaners. “We have arrested the beggars after monitoring their activities at traffic signals and near shopping centers,” said Lt. Nawaf Al-Bouk, acting police spokesman.

The security campaign focused on Subail, Anikas, Misfat, Kandara, Bani Malik, Quwaizah, Faisaliyah, Safa and Marwa. “We had received calls from people informing us about robbery, snatching of women’s handbags and car thefts,” he said.

“We have also received information related to cover-up business (tasattur), trade fraud and opening of shops without license,” the spokesman said. Police also received complaints on street vendors, beggars, car cleaners and traffic violations.

Al-Bouk said security officers transferred the arrested criminals to the departments concerned to conduct further investigation and take punitive action.

Different sections of the police force including criminal intelligence officers took part in the campaign. Police seized the materials used by the criminals for their crimes and presented them to investigators.

Jeddah Police Director Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Ghamdi said his security forces would continue their efforts to track down criminals and illegal workers in order to maintain law and order in the city.

“We will not show any leniency toward criminals,” he told Arab News. He called upon citizens and residents to inform police about criminal and illegal activities that take place around them. Police can be informed of criminal incidents in any part of Jeddah on toll-free number 642-5550.

He emphasized the important role of families in protecting their children from falling into the traps of criminal gangs and drug traffickers.

Meanwhile, police in Turaif have launched a search for a criminal who escaped from a prison after scaling its boundary wall.