MAKKAH, 25 May 2004 — The Hindawiya district in north Makkah has witnessed an alarming rise in car thefts and residents say police is doing nothing to curb it.
Local resident Jameel Bawazeer told Al-Madinah newspaper urgent action was needed before the problem spirals out of control. “Thieves have broken into my car many times, always by smashing the rear window,” he said. “They stole my car stereo and opened the glove box and took whatever was in it.
“I did report it to police but after it a few times I realized there was no point. For the time being I simply have to keep an eye on my car.” Othman Halawani has given up hope. “What is the point of reporting your car stolen if in 99 percent of cases they can do nothing.,” he said. “You’re lucky to find it abandoned somewhere in the desert.”
He too has suffered a string of break-ins. “Each time I replace the window they break it again, and I have to fork out another SR500. There is really no point reporting it unless they’ve taken your ID and you need the police report to get it replaced,” he added. But police say they are powerless. An officer told the paper police had reported to the municipality that a number of dilapidated houses provide shelter for overstayers, whom they blame for 80 percent of crimes, and should be demolished. Most of the area is pitch-dark at night as there is no electricity, making patrols difficult, he added.
