A total of 750 surveillance cameras are in place around the Grand Mosque to help identify pickpockets and other criminals, according to Col. Yahya Al-Zahrani, Commander of the Holy Haram Security Forces. Al-Zahrani said the cameras are in the basements, ground and first floors, roof, courtyards and the Tawaf area. He said that several pickpocketing incidents were detected with the cameras. In an interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Al-Zahrani revealed that undercover agents are present around-the-clock in the usually-crowded areas, including the Tawaf area, Masa'a and at the Black Stone. There are also pickpocketing experts who monitor funeral processions. Al-Zahrani noted that begging at the Haram and surrounding areas has been largely reduced this year with “the practice rarely seen because we are following up on the matter”. Peddling was also reduced, he said. He said these achievements are a result of the efforts of a special committee set up to deal with these issues, which is supervised by the Makkah Emir's Office. This Ramadan, he said, the number of agents participating in the Haram security plan has been increased. The team includes officers, privates, civilian officials and women. In addition to the basic force of the Haram security team, backup forces number 1,800 privates and 25 officers. Meanwhile, the mayoralty has assigned 8,500 cleaners with 810 cleaning machines and equipment for clean-up operations. There are also seven temporary stations for the collection of waste and garbage to keep the holy city clean around-the-clock. The mayoralty has also deployed field inspectors who are tasked with tightening control over all the food facilities in the holy city to ensure that they abide by health standards and serve healthy food.
