Riyadh, 25 Nov. (AKI) - The Saudi religious police has over the past year detained 434 people accused of 'immorality' - a 19 percent increase on the previous year - according to a report issued by Saudi Arabia's Authority for the Prohibition of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue.

Only a quarter of those arrested have Saudi citizenship. Most are foreigners, who were subsequently released with a caution after promising to lead a 'virtuous' life in future.

Only those detained for alleged use of drugs or alcohol were sent to appear before magistrates. The highest number of people arrested by the religious police was in the holy city of Mecca (photo), followed by the capital, Riyadh.

Instead of handing out custodial sentences, a number of Saudi judges have recently ordered offenders to clean buildings and cars, memorise the Koran (the Muslim holy book) or do community work.

The religious police recently asked the government to increase their funding as they claim they do not have the manpower to go after all those suspected of 'immoral' behaviour.

Such behaviour includes skipping prayers, consuming alcohol and appearing in public with members of the opposite sex who are not close family members.