The investigation and criminal detective squad of Jeddah police has arrested 27 members of an Arab family — three men, seven women and 17 children — for begging on the streets of the city.

Lt. Nawaf bin Nasser Al-Bouq, a spokesman for Jeddah police, said the squad monitored the movement of the group after spotting men, women and children begging on a daily basis in shifts to avoid being caught.

“The family came to the country two months ago to perform Umrah, but overstayed their visa and began begging,” he said, adding that the group is going to be prosecuted. 

Al-Bouq said: “After close observation and documentation, including submitting photographs and videos, the director of Jeddah police, Brig. Abdullah Al-Qahtani, issued instructions to arrest all the members of the group.” 

Police traced the group’s place of residence to the district of Kilo 6, south of the city. “All 27 members were present at the time of the police raid. The children were aged between one and 13 years,” Al-Bouq said.

He said a Saudi citizen who rented his house to the family was also summoned and will face legal action.