Children show their creative potential in a workshop.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

In their endeavour to maintain strong communication channels with all members of the society, including people of determination, the Dubai Police have recently organised an awareness and entertaining event for children with hearing impairment at Mirdif City Centre (MCC) in Dubai.

The three-day event was organised by the Dubai Police community-based initiative ‘Positive Spirit’ in coordination with the Dubai Police Council for People of Determination to entertain hearing-impaired children and raise their awareness of their rights and duties.

Brigadier Khaled Ali Shehail, Director of the General Department of Community Happiness, praised the participating police stations and departments for taking part in the event, reflecting the importance of raising a happy and well-informed future generation.

Saif Al Falasi, Chairman of Dubai Police Council for People of Determination, confirmed that the participation of council members in these events embodies the Dubai Police’s strategy for People of Determination, especially the ‘Idmaj’ (Arabic for inclusion) programme, which seeks to build bridges of communication between Dubai Police and the deaf community.

Fatima Buhajeer, Coordinator of the ‘Positive Spirit’ Initiative, pointed out that the force’s interpreters provided a simultaneous sign language interpretation to ensure children were fully involved and entertained.

Buhajeer also extended the force’s thanks and appreciation to the MCC management for facilitating the event and providing the necessary logistics.

Buhajeer explained that the event included sign language competitions and dedicated booths that showcased the role of police K9 dogs and information about the Safety Ambassadors programme for students. The event also featured a number of awareness and sports workshops and a bowling tournament for deaf children.

The Dubai Police magazine for children’ Khalid’, also participated in the event where Zainab Husain, Head of the Magazine, introduced children to the rich and fun content of ‘Khalid.’ She was also accompanied by artist Nada Al Darwish who ran a freestyle drawing workshop for deaf children and explained the basic principles of professional drawing.

Dubai Police warn of Cyber Extortion: Dubai Police urge public members to remain vigilant when using social media platforms and not provide anonymous or suspicious accounts with personal and sensitive information, including pictures and videos, as cyber blackmailers may exploit these.

The force has also advised social media users to be cautious when browsing the internet and refrain from visiting suspicious websites to avoid falling prey to cybercriminals and online scammers.

Brig. Abdullah Khadem Bin Suroor, Director of Bur Dubai Police Station and Chairman of the Police Stations Directors Council, said that the Bur Dubai Police Station responded to a report they had received through the Smart Police Station (SPS) on a man who blackmailed a girl he had connected with on social media platform.

“After earning the girl’s trust, the suspect used photos and videos she had sent to blackmail her. However, Dubai Police intervened in time and arrested the man within 24 hours of receiving the report,” Brig. Bin Suroor said.

He explained that cyber extortion is an emerging form of cybercrime where cybercriminals blackmail victims and threaten them to publish private pictures, videos and confidential information in return for some money or to force them to carry out illegal acts.

The director of Bur Dubai Police Station urged parents to follow up on their children and educate them not to accept friend requests or build friendships with strangers.

Brig. Bin Suroor explained that extortion is in several manners. “The most prominent method is to lure people using fake accounts on social media platforms to share their photos and videos with extorters who would later use this private information to blackmail their victims”, he added.

He called upon community members to ignore friend requests from unknown people on social media platforms and not establish video calls with strangers.