JEDDAH, 22 November 2005 — The Passport Department conducted another sweep on Sunday morning in Jeddah. Some 2,030 people, mostly from the Sabeel district, were detained. The majority were Asian overstayers.
Officials said a large number of beggars pretending to have disabilities were arrested and now face deportation.
“Many people believe the beggars’ disabilities are real; the public need to be aware that many of them are just good actors with no disability at all,” one officer said.
According to officials, a large number of illegal Yemenis were also arrested in Sunday’s daylong raid. “The youngest were two seven-year-olds who reportedly crossed the border on foot and then walked to Jeddah,” said an official.
On Sunday police also arrested a gang of five thieves in southern Jeddah. The gang, five middle-aged Yemenis, stalk their victims near banks, mosques, supermarkets and shops.
According to police the thieves were caught as they were moving on a victim in south Jeddah. Police said some of the group covered for the others during their operation, either by stalking out the area or by slowing down the victim.
Home appliances, credit cards and money were found in their possession. Police put the area under surveillance after a number of robberies had been reported there and investigations finally led the police to the five men.
