Dubai Police arrest 33 beggars during the first 10 days of Ramadan

The Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department at the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations, in close collaboration with police stations in Dubai, successfully arrested 33 beggars of various nationalities in the first 10 days of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

This was part of the effective Fight Begging campaign launched by the Dubai Police under the powerful slogan ‘ Aware Community, No Begging’, in collaboration with strategic partners represented by the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Municipality, Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, and Amin Service.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining the civilised image in the country by combating begging.

Colonel Ahmed Al Adidi, Deputy Director of the Suspicious and Criminal Phenomena Department at the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations, stated that the Fight Begging campaign is one of the successful campaigns that have been launched by the department in cooperation with partners.

It has been asserted that this campaign has contributed to a yearly reduction in the number of individuals begging, a consequence of the strict and decisive measures that have been taken against those who have been apprehended for begging.

“Indeed, in the first ten days of the Holy Month of Ramadan alone, 33 people of different nationalities were arrested in this campaign,” Al Adidi said.

As stated by the Dubai Police, an integrated security plan is developed on an annual basis in order to combat begging. This is achieved by intensifying deployment of patrols in areas where beggars are known to congregate.

Colonel Ahmed Al Adidi has confirmed that the Dubai Police monitor fraudulent begging methods annually. This is part of the force’s ongoing efforts to combat negative influences and develop effective plans and programmes to prevent such activities and apprehend those involved with a view to protecting the community.

It was highlighted that individuals engaged in begging activities often seek to capitalise on the prevailing sentiments of benevolence and communal support during the holy month of Ramadan, with the aim of achieving illicit financial gains. This phenomenon, which manifests in various forms, includes the exploitation of children, patients, and individuals with disabilities for the purpose of soliciting sympathy. This assertion is supported by documented cases of women being apprehended while begging with children.

Brigadier Ali Salem further noted that individuals engaged in begging frequently resort to fraudulent and professional solicitation during religious observances and public holidays. This practice constitutes a criminal offence, for which the law stipulates appropriate penalties.

Captain Abdullah Khamis, head of the anti-begging section, stated that the objective of the campaign is to combat all forms of begging, including traditional begging in places where worshippers gather, such as Majalis and markets, as well as non-traditional begging, such as electronic begging and soliciting donations to build mosques abroad, or claiming to ask for help for humanitarian cases, among others. The campaign seeks to achieve several objectives, notably preserving the civilised image of society, protecting society from crimes associated with traditional and electronic begging, and combating and preventing the crimes of begging and organised begging.

Captain Abdullah Khamis stressed the importance of utilising official channels for charity and aid through charitable organisations and institutions to ensure the efficient allocation of donations to their intended recipients. He urged individuals to contribute through these designated channels.

Captain Abdullah Khamis is urging members of the public to report beggars by calling the toll-free number (901) or the “Police Eye” service available on the Dubai Police mobile app. In addition to this, cases of electronic begging should be reported via the “E-crime” platform.