Dr. Ayman Al-Minyawi, a psychiatrist, says the issue is a problem for the country, its citizens and concerned authorities.

“This problem has become widespread in towns, provinces, districts and villages all over the Kingdom,” he said. He called for joint efforts and studies to be carried out to curb the trend.

Al-Minyawi called for a considered approach to the problem, such as rehabilitation for the first time offenders.

“Parents must provide their children with a proper upbringing and act as role models. They should also attempt to satisfy their materialistic needs that may otherwise drive them toward stealing,” he said.

He also called for solidarity within society to reduce poverty, which can be a main cause of stealing. Local citizen Saleh Al-Ghamdi called for a serious study into the issue, which he says is alien to Saudi society.

“Family dysfunction may be the main cause for the rising number of young thieves,” he said. Al-Ghamdi said theft often represented a source of income for young people who could not find jobs.

“Most unemployed young men might resort to theft or drug trafficking. Drug addictions could also drive young men to steal when they cannot find money to buy drugs,” he said.

Fellow citizen Faisal Al-Johani called for an in-depth study into the problem and suggested that young Saudi thieves should be put in special rehabilitation centers.

“We should find jobs for unemployed young men and education opportunities for those who prefer to study,” he said. He called for developing solutions for the root causes of the issue, which were mostly social and economic.

Sociologist researcher Ahmad Al-Masradi said thefts committed by young people should be categorized as juvenile crimes.

“In some cases it might only be a one-off, but if they continued stealing then it becomes a professional crime,” he explained.

Saleh ibn Abdullatif Al-Sayed, a writer, believes that family stability is the best solution. “A family that is full of love, mercy and harmony will produce good citizens,” he said.

Islamic scholar Sheikh Abdullah ibn Tamim Al-Anzi said bad company was the reason for the rising number of young thieves, describing wayward companions as the “source of all evils.” He said children could make friends with the wrong people in classrooms, the neighborhood, public parks and other places. “Families should be vigilant when it comes to their children’s friends,” he warned.