Dubai Police Arrest 202 In Anti-Begging Campaign In First Half Of Ramadan

Dubai Police have arrested 202 beggars in the first half of Ramadan. The arrests were part of a concerted anti-begging campaign, which saw various departments within Dubai Police collaborating with strategic partners, including the General Department the Residency and Foreigners Affairs Department in Dubai, Dubai Municipality, and the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai.

Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena at the General Department of Criminal and Investigation, highlighted the campaign's effectiveness in annually reducing the number of beggars. This year, the initiative led to the arrest of 112 males and 90 females, many of whom entered the country on a visit visa. Others are residents or have violated residency laws, exploiting the charitable nature of Ramadan for financial gain.

Image Courtesy: José Ramírez/Unsplash

Brigadier Al Shamsi emphasised that Dubai Police develop a comprehensive security plan each year to tackle the issue of begging. This includes stepping up patrols in areas where beggars are likely to be found. He stressed that begging not only poses a security threat but also tarnishes the country's image and undermines its civilised appearance. Moreover, begging is often linked to criminal activities such as theft, pickpocketing, and the exploitation of vulnerable groups by organized begging syndicates.

The director underscored the existence of official charities in Dubai, where individuals in need can seek financial assistance or make donations. Al Shamsi also encouraged the public to play a role in combating begging by reporting incidents via the call centre 901, the 'Police Eye' service on the police app, or through the E-Crime platform (www.ecrime.ae).

Organised begging is considered a serious offense in Dubai. Violators will face six months' imprisonment and a fine of Dh100,000. This stringent measure underscores the authorities' commitment to maintaining the city's security and welfare, particularly during the spiritually significant period of Ramadan.