About 1,000 motorbikes used by African organized mobs to snatch away mobile phones, bags, and wallets from pedestrians have been confiscated in Riyadh. The Arabic daily Al-Hayat quoted an unidentified at the Riyadh Police Department as saying that an average of four thefts are reported daily, mainly by shoppers. He said this indicates the city's growing population and the considerable shortage in the numbers of security agents. The source likened the way mobsters carry out thefts to “the blink of an eye,” as they snatch away objects and bolt for narrow alleys in a matter of seconds. The mobsters usually appear around noon or in the evening, and never hang around public places for fear of being apprehended by passersby. Mobile phones and women's bags are their preferred targets. The source added that most incidents take place in Al-Dira, Manfouha, Al-Bathaa, Al-Faysaliyah and Al-Shifa districts, adding that most victims prefer not to go to the police. Sultan Al-Shammari, a theft victim, said that a man riding a bike snatched away his wallet while he was getting out of his car around noon. He had SR800 in cash, some important documents and credit cards. “I called the police patrols but no one came,” he said. “Then I decided to go to the nearest police station to report the incident.” One of Shammari's workers almost lost a finger when a thief snatched away his mobile phone, which he had attached to a chain wrapped around his wrist. Al-Shammari called on security authorities to keep an eye on motorbikes that roam the streets by the thousands, unrestricted. “I believe that inadequate surveillance is what encourages these thieves to steal,” he said, “especially that smaller scooters do not need licenses.”
