KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: The Deputy Director of Capital Security Directorate, Brigadier General Hussein Al-Shirazi, denied that organized crime exists in Kuwait, reports Al-Anba daily.
In an interview with the daily, Al-Shirazi said the directorate controls areas in Kuwait that are regarded as quiet and cited the Shuwaikh, Shamiya, and Rawdha residential areas, among others. These areas are evenly populated with Kuwaitis and expatriates mainly residing in Bneid Al-Gar.

Al-Shirazi described most cases reported in the area as non-violent, and may include robberies, fights, or domestic conflicts. He said the crime rate is low in the area whereas the security situation there is under control. “Although trading in liquor is prevalent, particularly in Bneid Al-Gar, the security presence there reduces the number of such cases, Al-Shirazi said.

With the commercial areas being under the jurisdiction of the directorate, Al-Shirazi explained that many important markets are under its supervision.
He stressed the gold markets in particular should be equipped with surveillance camera, urging the shop and market owners to install the equipment for security reasons.
He noted that camera facilitates the job of policemen in case of robbery and referred to an incident where one worker at a gold shop claimed the shop was robbed and no progress was made in the investigations, but the footage from a surveillance camera nearby helped to unveil the truth.

He explained the video recording did not capture anyone going into the shop, which confirmed the employee had fabricated the whole story. He believes the installation of surveillance camera, as generally required in markets at the most advanced countries, will save the Interior Ministry time.
On the high rate of robbery in Industrial Shuwaikh, Al-Shirazi said the shop owners shouldn’t open their shops after 12 am and resist the employees from sleeping there. He assured the ministry, in coordination with other authorities, will combat the phenomenon.

In the meantime, Al-Shirazi described Al-Mirqab and Mubarakiya as difficult areas prevalent with unlicensed laborers, the sale of liquor, and gambling.
He added the continuous security presence has helped in reducing complaints in the area, and urged people to be cautious while using ATM machines to withdraw money. He said thieves wait for naive persons who leave huge amounts inside their cars”.