Sharjah: As many as 40 illegal street vendors were arrested in Sharjah in a span of less than two weeks for carrying out unauthorised activity.
The arrests were effected during a sudden inspection held in coordination between Sharjah Police and Sharjah Municipality.
Most of the arrests were made on Friday morning with 33 illegal vendors rounded up in Al Sajja Industrial area.
Colonel Khalifa Kalander, director of the Comprehensive Police Stations at Sharjah Police, said police had drawn up a plan to curb all illegal activities in the emirate.
The number of street vendors, Col. Kalander said, had shown a marked increase in the industrial areas in Sharjah on weekends and holidays.
The inspection resulted in the confiscation of fake goods and foodstuff besides items of clothing displayed near the Grand Mosque for sale to worshippers after Juma’a prayers.
The inspection team was headed by Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Razaq Asad, Director of Al Sajja Police station, in addition to Sharjah Municipality inspectors.
Clandestine markets in the area were raided a round 6.30am with police and Sharjah Municipality officials conducting spot checks in markets and other areas to apprehend unlicensed street vendors.
The goods seized are of unknown origin and susceptible to spoilage because of improper storage and display and could pose a danger to the safety and health of residents.
Col. Kalander pointed out that most of those arrested were illegal residents. The campaign, he said will continue round the clock.
