Dubai Police have initiated their annual 'Fight Begging' campaign, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals on the first day of Ramadan. Colonel Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department at the Dubai Police, disclosed that among those apprehended were 13 males and four females.
This rigorous enforcement effort is consistent with the department's commitment to reducing the prevalence of begging through stringent and decisive measures.
Al Shamsi emphasized that the campaign is an integral component of Dubai Police's comprehensive security strategy, which involves heightened patrols in areas frequented by beggars. He underscored the serious repercussions associated with begging, citing its correlation with criminal activities such as theft and the exploitation of vulnerable populations, including children, the sick, and individuals with disabilities.
In addition to threatening community security, Al Shamsi underscored that begging also compromises the country's reputation and undermines its civilized facade. He stressed the availability of official entities and charitable organizations to provide financial assistance and iftar meals to those in need, offering legitimate avenues for support rather than resorting to illegal means.
Highlighting the legal ramifications, Al Shamsi reiterated that begging constitutes a violation of Federal Law No. 9 of 2018 on Combating Begging, warranting strict enforcement actions. He urged the public to refrain from engaging with beggars out of sympathy and instead directed them to report such incidents promptly through the designated channels, including the contact center (901) or the 'Police Eye' service on the Dubai Police smart app.
Moreover, Al Shamsi cautioned against succumbing to online solicitations from beggars, advising individuals to disregard fabricated stories circulated via social media and email. Encouraging vigilance and civic responsibility, he urged citizens to report any suspicious messages or solicitations through the eCrime platform (www.ecrime.ae), thereby contributing to the collective effort to combat this illicit activity.