In a midnight operation carried out by the Riyadh police recently, 200 men, women and children who regularly beg in the streets of the capital were arrested.

Police found a large number of beggars, each possessing more than SR20,000.

The raids were carried out in Marqab, Salihiya and Oud districts of the city.

According to the police, those apprehended were people who used to beg in the streets near traffic lights, malls, public parks and at hospitals.

“Upon seeing the police cars, the beggars, who are mainly children, ran to escape from the security authorities and sometimes caused serious road accidents,” a police official said, adding that that those arrested were mainly expatriates from neighboring Arab countries.

According to sources, some of these beggars appeal philanthropists for medical assistance, including for artificial limbs and for purchase of their medicines.

The police warned the public not to fall prey to such stories.

The official said that members of the public can divert such street donations to charitable organizations that have special programs to rehabilitate the beggar population and to look after their family as well.

In October, 57 male and female beggars were arrested in a similar operation.

Under a program launched by the government, the expatriates will be deported home, while the natives are sent for rehabilitation which is directed by the ministry of social affairs.

Interestingly, a survey conducted by UNICEF in 2007 found that up to 50 percent of child beggars in the Kingdom entered the country with their parents.

UNICEF also trains border guards on how to recognize and take care of trafficked children.