Sharjah: Plainclothes policemen have raided an open-air den of criminal activities, including the consumption of prohibited beverages in public, following a tip-off by Gulf News.
Undercover Sharjah Police officers recently arrested several people involved in “illegal practices” in Al Musalla area on a sandy plot of land behind Al Reem Bakery on Al Zahra Street.
The area is used by residents to park their cars and they had complained of the “antisocial behaviour” of the men loitering around in the area, which is surrounded by residential buildings.
Speaking to Gulf News, one resident thanked Sharjah Police and Gulf News for “their efforts in making our communities safer”.
“We were afraid to approach the men directly because they were very rowdy. I have seen fights break out between them. My car has been damaged twice by them. Once they sat on it and dented the car while another time they were throwing stones, which hit my car,” said A.V., a 26-year-old Indian resident who has been living in the area for four years.
“I want to thank Sharjah Police for taking action and the area is quieter now. I don’t see the crowds of men any more.”
Another resident, from Pakistan, who identified himself as a brother of a building watchman in the area, said families had been hesitant to pass by the area.
“There were no incidents as far as I know but some residents didn’t feel comfortable while crossing the area. The men were a nuisance and disturbing the peace of the neighbourhood,” the resident said on condition of anonymity.
A Sharjah Police official told Gulf News that officials are patrolling the streets every day to crack down on any “negative phenomena”, such as gambling, begging and selling of prohibited goods.
The official added that infiltrators, absconders, or illegal residents seeking to dupe people usually control these illegal practices. Police added that the practices often lead to violence.
“Sharjah Police have intensified efforts to end violations of the country’s residency laws. That can only be achieved with the full cooperation of law-abiding residents and through the media and the wider community,” police said, adding that a number of raids have been carried out recently to curb the practices.
Sharjah Police urged residents to cooperate with them and inform them about any illegal practices that “annoy the residents in public areas and streets”.
Police advised them to report offences “that threaten the security of society” on 999 or on the toll-free Najeed hotline 800151.
