Dubai Authorities Arrest 967 Beggars, Street Vendors, Illegal Workers During Ramadan

Photo : Dubai Police

Dubai Police's "Anti-begging" campaign launched during Ramadan has yielded significant results, with 396 beggars, 292 street vendors, and 279 illegal workers apprehended since its inception. Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department in the General Department of Criminal Investigation, emphasized the need for community awareness regarding the perils of begging, particularly during Ramadan and festive seasons, when beggars often exploit people's sympathy.

The arrested individuals, comprising mostly habitual beggars, are frequently spotted in residential, commercial, and religious areas, alongside street vendors who employ various tactics to elicit sympathy from the public. Brigadier Al Shamsi warned against the hazards posed by purchasing goods from street vendors, highlighting concerns about food and merchandise of uncertain origin sold under unsanitary conditions.

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Begging, street vending, and the presence of illegal workers not only jeopardize community safety but also tarnish the nation's reputation. These activities are often linked to more serious crimes such as theft, pickpocketing, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, including children and the infirm. Brigadier Al Shamsi reiterated that begging constitutes a violation of Federal Law No. 9 of 2018 on Combating Begging, which carries severe penalties.

Recent arrests underscore the prevalence of organized begging networks, with Dubai Police detaining two women found in possession of significant sums of cash obtained solely through begging. One of the women exploited her child to garner sympathy. These individuals, who entered the UAE on visit visas, represent the pervasive nature of the issue, with 99 percent of apprehended beggars considering begging their "profession."

In the past four years, Dubai Police have arrested 1,701 beggars, with nearly 500 individuals detained in 2023 alone, indicating the escalating magnitude of the problem. The UAE's stringent legal framework imposes a Dh5,000 fine and three-month imprisonment for begging offenses. Moreover, individuals involved in organized begging or facilitating beggars from abroad face stiffer penalties, including a six-month jail term and a Dh100,000 fine. Additionally, fundraising without proper authorization carries hefty fines of up to Dh500,000.