CAIRO - Police forces on Sunday raided a number of crime hot spots across the country, restoring order to the Egyptian street. Traffic, trade and other police departments took part in a nationwide clampdown on the lawlessness which has taken hold of the country over the past ten months. Cairo Traffic Police yesterday collected LE15,558 ($2,600) in fines, with violations ranging from illegal parking to unlicensed cars and motorbikes. The police also seized illegal weapons from gangsters in Cairo and some Delta governorates. With the help of the Army, police arrested a gang who'd been stealing cars on the Suez-Ismailiya Highway. The crackdown also targeted drug dealers and weapons caches in a number of slums nationwide. Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri has stressed once again that his Cabinet's priority will be to restore security and put an end to lawlessness in a bid to “push forward the wheel of production and boost the economy”. Minister of Interior Mohamed Ibrahim, former head of the Interior Ministry's security directorate in Giza Governorate, said his Ministry will never go easy on those who terrify citizens, citing the importance of security for the country's economic development. Ibrahim stressed the need to build confidence between policemen and the man in the street. “Whoever points a gun at a policeman will be shot on the spot,” Ibrahim said in a clear message that the police will be back to enforce the law. “The police are welcome. We want more police patrols to roam the streets, especially at night. Gangsters have been doing whatever they want in the absence of the police,” said Hussein Reda, a taxi driver. “After sunset, I cannot give anyone a ride to a remote, distant area as my car may get stolen. Police are a must,” he added. The lack of security in recent months has caused many Egyptians to panic; crime has more than doubled, according to media reports. “This is a very positive sign. Police must get tough with the thugs who think they can rule the street. Citizens will help policemen to do their job,” said a 35-year-old engineer called Sameh Naguib, adding that the Interior Ministry should turn over “a new leaf with the people”.
