KABUL -- Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh has been put in charge of the security situation in the capital amid a rise in crime that has caused an outcry among residents.
Saleh said on Facebook late on October 16 that he would take responsibility for security in the city for "a few weeks," adding that he would show no mercy to criminals.
Saleh said that a "list of criminals including thieves, robbers, vandals, extorters, and land usurpers has already been prepared" in order to prosecute them.
The announcement comes after a spike in crime numbers, including robberies and muggings, across Kabul.
Last week, a group of thieves entered an all-male high school in order to rob students.
Earlier this month, another group of perpetrators stopped a minibus carrying female university students in order to rob them.
Poverty and high rates of unemployment are believed to be among the main reasons for the rising crime rate.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has said that 300 more security cameras would be installed in the city in the near future.
Afghan Vice President Takes Charge Of Capital Amid Rise In Crime

Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Why Does Trump Want Afghanistan's Bagram Air Base Returned To US Control?
2Afghan Women, Girls 'Bear Brunt' Of Earthquake Amid Taliban Restrictions
3Afghan Woman Who Lost All Male Relatives In Earthquake Faces New Barriers
4Afghan Taliban Claims Prisoner Exchange With US Is Imminent
5Trump Says US Is Seeking To 'Get Back' Bagram Base Amid Taliban Rule
6Taliban Rulers Seek Outside Help As Workers Race To Aid Earthquake Victims
7This Afghan Teen Is The Sole Survivor From His Family After Deadly Earthquake
8Afghan Children In Pakistan Fear Taliban Schools If Forced Home
9Commandos Airdropped Into Remote Afghan Region In Race To Rescue Earthquake Survivors
10Afghan Man Loses 10 Family Members In Devastating Earthquake
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.