Police in Mombasa have arrested 387 youth as law enforcement agencies step up the war on criminal gangs in the town and other neighbouring areas.
County Police Commander Johnston Ipara said on Friday that police will not rest until all criminal elements are neutralized in the Coastal county.
"We have reached a critical time, that we will not entertain criminality," he said as he addressed the press.
The police commander said that most of the youth arrested are from Likoni and Kisauni constituencies.
Police in Mombasa in the last one month have shot dead at least ten people suspected to be members of outlawed criminal gangs especially the panga-wielding 'Wakali Kwanza' gang.
Six of those killed were gunned down in Likoni and Kisauni areas.
Ipara said those arrested include those found engaging in unnecessary fighting, those who idle in various town across Mombasa County and those engaged in petty theft including stealing of vehicle side mirrors.
Two weeks ago, Likoni police boss Benjamin Rotich said police are determined to restore sanity not only in Likoni sub-county but across Mombasa County.
He said cops will not allow criminality to thrive as lawlessness will scuttle development efforts in the region.
There are over 10 criminal gangs operating in Mombasa with politicians having been accused of funding their operations.