Jeddah municipality inspectors have arrested 100 illegal expatriates for renting out free games on the corniche, including slides and swings.

These illegal operators also set up their own games such as trampolines, which are potentially hazardous to children without proper supervision and training.

Abdulaziz Al-Ghamdi, spokesman of the municipality, warned people visiting the corniche to refrain from dealing with these operators because many of the games are free.

The expats running the games were mostly from African and Asian countries, who had appeared for the first time during the spring break. The violators had their games confiscated and would be fined up to SR1,000, he said.

It is illegal to use public spaces to make money, he said. Several visitors to the corniche had complained about these operators, and claimed the municipality had failed to take action against them.

Awad Al-Jehani said the actions of these illegal vendors were not good for the area, and endangered their children. Naji Al-Harbi agreed and called on the municipality to arrest them.

Ismail Khlufa said the illegal vendors charge between SR10 and SR15 for children to use the swings and slides for 15 minutes, even though these games are free.

He said other games provided are unsafe for children because the operators do not have the expertise to handle them.

Maimon Al-Saadi, a Bangladeshi, said he operates an illegal trampoline at the corniche, which costs about SR300 and is easy to set up. He makes about SR400 a day from renting it out during vacations, or after Asr prayers on normal days.

He said many other people set up games to make money on the corniche.