Bahrain’s police have seized nearly 8,000 ready-made Molotov cocktails since the beginning of the year during swoops on several locations, an Interior Ministry spokesman said.

He revealed 7,849 had been seized since the start of the year by last Thursday, with 2,399 of those recovered in April alone.

A total of 2,062 were seized in February, another 1,567 in March, 1,173 last month and 648 were found in January.

"The police are determined to bring the situation under control and have intensified patrolling in sensitive areas," the spokesman said.

"Over the last few months, thousands of Molotovs ready to be used have been seized. Several hundred empty bottles as well as cans of petrol and other materials have also been recovered."

The spokesman said raids had been carried out inside villages and other locations, including farms and warehouses.

"The situation with regard to such attacks is already improving and we shall see further improvement in the coming days," he predicted.

"We urge people who have any information on such activities to report to the nearest police station or by calling 80008008."

Gangs of violent youths have used Molotov cocktails and other deadly home-made weapons over the last year to target police patrols and stations, while schools have also been targeted in arson attacks. – TradeArabia News Service