More than 70 beggars, of whom 46 women, 18 children and 8 men, were arrested in February in the Eastern Province, said Col. Ziad Al-Ruqiaiti, Eastern Province police spokesman.

“Around two-thirds of these beggars are expats,” said Al-Ruqaiti.

The field campaigns were carried out at popular beggar strongholds, such as traffic lights, mosques, streets and malls in Dammam, Jubail and Dhahran in coordination with the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia) and the Social Affairs office in the region.

“We ask residents not to encourage beggars by giving them money,” he said. “People in need should approach charities and social affairs bodies.”