Dubai Police arrest 222 beggars during Ramadan and Eid

The Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, in co-operation with Dubai Police stations, arrested 222 beggars of different nationalities during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr as part of a campaign that was launched under the slogan "An Aware Society, Free of Begging."

The campaign was launched in partnership with other government entities including the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Municipality, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department and Al Ameen Service with the aim of raising public awareness and preserving the UAE’s civilised image by curbing begging.

Colonel Ahmad Al Adidi, Acting Director of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department, said the successful campaign contributed to reducing the number of beggars annually due to the strict measure taken against the arrested beggars.

Dubai Police annually makes an integrated security plan to combat begging by intensifying patrols in the places where beggars are expected to be in, he added.

Beggars exploit the Holy Month of Ramadan and festive seasons to make illegal gains, he said, warning the public of dealing with the way beggars use to gain sympathy including using children, the sick and people of determination. Several cases of women accompanied by children were arrested while begging, he said.

Beggars seek to beg for people’s mercy, using professional and fraudulent ways especially in places of worship or during religious celebrations, which are regarded as criminal offices punishable by law, he added.

Meanwhile, Captain Abdullah Khamis, Head of Anti-Begging Section, said the campaign was aimed at combating all forms of begging including electronic begging, fake fundraising for building mosques abroad and fabricated humanitarian appeals, among others.

Khamis pointed out that there are official channels for charitable work and providing aid through charitable organizations to ensure that donations reach those who deserve them, urging people to donate through these channels.

He called on the public to report beggars by calling the toll-free number 901, using the ‘Police Eye’ feature on the Dubai Police smart app, or reporting online begging cases via the E-Crime platform.