SHARJAH// More than 200 vehicles abandoned by their owners have been towed away during the first week of a new campaign in Ajman, officials said today. Ajman Municipality is spearheading a programme to improve the environment, avoid environmental issues associated with dumped vehicles, and free up parking spaces. Most of the cars were towed away from residential areas, said Khalid Hosni, the head of Ajman's public health and environment department. "Abandoned cars are not maintained and have a problem of polluting the environment," he said, adding that abandoned cars gave a bad impression to visitors to the emirate. Mr Hosni said that all the cars were being taken to an Ajman Municipality garage behind Ajman Police Industrial Area station. "Those who have claims for some of these cars, like owners who have just been away for long and did not intend to abandon their car, can approach the authorities at the garage," he said. ykakande@thenational.ae