MAKKAH, 1 February 2003 — Security agencies have intensified efforts to combat pickpocketing during the Haj season, Al-Madinah reported yesterday.
Most pickpocketing cases take place at crowded walkways, the mataf (circling area around the Holy Kaaba), the Jamrat in Mina, the Namira Mosque in Arafat and at food distribution centers in the holy sites, the paper said quoting a study.
A large number of pilgrims lose their money and other valuables as well as travel documents as a result of pickpocketing.
