Police will increase presence

ABU DHABI // Sharjah police will increase their presence during Ramadan to combat begging and thefts from worshippers' cars parked outside mosques during prayer time. Police have warned worshippers not to leave valuables inside their cars. Worshippers were particularly vulnerable during the taraweeh prayers, which take place every evening throughout Ramadan, police said. "The instances of breaking into and stealing items inside of cars that are parked outside of mosques have become more organised and premeditated," said Col Abdullah Mubarak al Dukhan.

"The thieves stake out the locations where they will attempt their theft, and they focus on mosques that have a large number of worshippers. "They also calculate time, starting when the targeted car is parked, which can vary between one and two hours [for taraweeh prayers]." Police said they would also focus on iftar time and place more officers near mosques to minimise theft. They asked parents to keep children indoors until after iftar to minimise traffic accidents.

Pedestrian injuries on roads often rise during the month of fasting. @Email:[e-mail]