Col. Ziad Al-Ruqaiti, media spokesman of the Eastern Province police department, revealed that the last weeks of June witnessed a number of security raids executed by the police department in cooperation with the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia) and the Social Affairs office.

“Security teams swept through multiple locations, including malls, mosques and major traffic intersections across the province,” Al-Ruqaiti said, adding, “Around 102 beggars were arrested and their possessions confiscated in the raids. Citizens were transferred to the Social Affairs office, while residents were sent to the expats’ detention department.

As of the beginning of the year, he noted, around 606 individuals have been arrested for beggary; 51 percent of the detainees were expatriates, with women and children constituting 46 and 31 percent respectively.

The media spokesman pointed out that the holy month of Ramadan and holiday seasons witness a surge in the number of beggars out on the streets. He explained that special security teams have been appointed to combat the begging phenomenon in the province, and cautioned charities to examine the financial status of individuals claiming they need assistance, before extending help.