“The campaign will continue until the holy city is completely cleared of careless bike riders,” said Makkah police spokesman Maj. Abdul Mohsen Al-Miman.

The prevalence of motorbike gangs — where large groups of riders drive recklessly through the city — has become an endemic problem, say authorities and locals.

Recently, a group of about 30 riders were stopped; some of the riders ran away, abandoning their motorbikes.

Police say the violations include speeding, stunt driving, ignoring traffic signals and riding without a helmet.