Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Dubai Police arrested 1,000 beggars as part of their "Begging is a Wrong Concept of Compassion" anti-begging drive which ran between mid-March and Eid Al Fitr holiday.

Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation (CID), said the campaign, which they launched last March in cooperation with Dubai's police stations, showed evident success in reducing the number of beggars who exploit others' feelings and sympathy, especially during the holy month of Ramadan and the joyous holiday of Eid Al Fitr.  

Colonel Ali Salem, Director of Anti-infiltrators at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, said their teams worked tirelessly across the emirate before the Holy Month and monitored places expected to be frequented by beggars to ensure the safety and security of the public.

Col. Salem indicated that their anti-begging campaign for this year resulted in the arrest of 902 men and 98 women- 321 of which were arrested before Ramadan, 604 in Ramadan and 75 during the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

"There are official and charitable entities and authorities ready to help the needy. We, at Dubai Police, urge whomever in need of financial aid to turn to," "Begging poses a serious threat to the safety and security of our society," Col. Salem continued.

The Dubai Police also reminded the public to report beggars to the toll-free number 901 or through the Police Eye service via Dubai Police App and to report cyber-beggars and suspicious online activities on www.ecrime.ae