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Saudi 'morality police' have arrested several women alleged to be among those filmed drinking, dancing and 'mixing' with men in a video that has shocked the conservative Muslim state.

The revellers were held over a ‘mixed’ party in Jeddah, according to local media.

A clip from the party - which was posted on YouTube - shows a group of young men and women enjoying themselves on the terrace of a building, with music playing in the background.

The footage shows women dressed in Western-style clothes - with bottles and drinks seen nearby on a table which are alleged to be alcohol.

Saudi Arabia has strict rules governing the mixed socialization of unrelated men and women - as well as a total ban on the use and sale of alcohol.

Jeddah Police rallied a special task force to investigate the video after it went viral - led by Major-General Saeed Al-Qarni and supervised by Jeddah police chief Brigadier-General Abdulwahab Al-Asiri, according to local media.

The team are reported to have used imaging analysis to locate the address of the apparent get-together, which they identified using the Jeddah Flagpole seen in the background.

The Jeddah Flagpole is the highest flagpole in the world since its inauguration in 2014, rising 170 meters from the ground.

The chief suspect, a Jordanian, was arrested while allegedly trying to flee the country.

After being questioned by the police, he eventually admitted to organising the party, authorities say.

Afterwards, three female guests, a Lebanese woman and her friends, were questioned and admitted to being at the party, reported Almasar Online.

The case has been referred to the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution, which may proceed to press charges, and work has begun to identify any other guests.

The accused potentially face a particularly harsh punishment.

Unlike some other Islamic countries, the rules apply equally to Muslims and non-believers.

In November 2015, a 74-year-old British grandfather, Karl Andree, was freed after spending a year in prison and being threatened with over 350 lashes after being caught with a homemade brew.