RIYADH, Sep 4 ( Arab News): Riyadh police have bumped up security for shoppers and vowed to ease traffic congestion in the capital over the Eid holidays.

“We have set up a comprehensive security plan during the pre-Eid period in shopping malls, mosques and other public places,” said Riyadh Police director Maj. Gen. Saud bin Abdulaziz Al-Hilal on Thursday.

He said such security arrangements are made annually as per instructions from Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman, who is keen to ensure the safety of citizens and residents in the city.

The police are expected to carry out their security plan in coordination with the Riyadh municipality.

Officers are being given special training to help them better assist the public and prevent criminal activity in the city. They will be placed on special duty in parks and other public places where people are likely to celebrate the Eid festival. Under the new action plan, police will also monitor the movement of crowds in mosques, shopping malls and other public places.

On the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, Riyadh police implemented a special action plan to provide maximum security to people and ensure houses and shops were safe.

The region’s police headquarters issued a circular to all its stations in the capital to pay special attention to houses whose occupants had gone out for shopping or prayers.

The action plan led to more police patrols in these areas and officers were quick to question anybody loitering in the streets during taraweeh prayers.

It has been reported that burglars often strike when people are away from their homes. It is commonplace to find the streets empty and people indoors between iftar and Isha prayers. Residents then go out from taraweeh until suhur time.

In Nasseriyah district, a mobile shop was looted on Saturday between Maghrib and Isha while it was closed. The shopkeeper lost SR16,000 in cash as well as several expensive handsets.

Police have also asked members of the public to cooperate with authorities and exercise maximum caution when they leave their homes, either for prayers or shopping.

Each police station will have their own security plans to nab burglars or car thieves who exploit new opportunities to carry out criminal activities during Ramadan.

Any suspicious movements witnessed on the streets should be reported to police headquarters.

Police have deployed officers and patrol cars in all crime hotspots to prevent offenses being committed.