Rise in robberies: Herat police ban face, head coverings

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Police in western Herat province have announced a ban on concealing the face and head with items of clothing and the force has been ordered to go tough against those creating fear and terror among people.

Herat police spokesman, Abdul Ahad Walizada, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the decision to ban covering face and head was made following people’s complaints and identification of criminals.

He said police investigations showed some criminals covered their faces and heads in order not to be identified during their illegal activities.

“Covering face and head is banned from now on, Herat police headquarters has ordered all police districts to be tough against those who engage in armed robberies and other crimes by covering their face and head,” he said.

On the other hand, Walizada said Herat police also detained more than a hundred people from Herat streets in a single day over vulgarity. He said some of the detainees were also involved in armed robberies.

Herat city residents expressed concern over increasing armed robbery incidents in their areas and said most of such cases involved people who covered their faces.

Herat people welcomed the police decision of banning face covering in the city.

Seyyar Karimi, a resident of Herat city, said people who covered their faces and heads had recently increased in the city.

“I personally support the police decision, it will stop criminals because two person with their faces covered took my telephone and injured me with a knife last year,” he said.

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