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

Dubai: Dubai Police have arrested 33 beggars of different nationalities during the first 10 days of Ramadan as part of a campaign to fight begging. The arrests were made by the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, in cooperation with various Dubai Police stations.

The campaign, called "A Conscious Society, Free of Beggars," is being carried out with the help of several government agencies, including the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Municipality, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, and the Al Ameen Service.

Colonel Ahmed Al Odaidi, Deputy Director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department, explained that the campaign has successfully reduced the number of beggars over the years. "Thanks to strict measures, we have been able to limit begging. During the first 10 days of Ramadan alone, we arrested 33 beggars from different nationalities," he said.

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Al Odaidi also spoke about the different tactics used by beggars to gain sympathy and exploit people's kindness. Some pretend to be sick or in need, while others use children or people of determination to appeal to the public’s emotions. "We have come across cases where women beg with children to gain sympathy," he added.

The campaign is focused on stopping all types of begging, including traditional methods such as asking for money in prayer areas, markets, and public places. It also targets modern forms of begging, such as online requests for donations or false claims of needing help for charity purposes, like building mosques abroad.

Al Odaidi warned residents not to give money to beggars or fall for their stories. Instead, he urged the public to report such cases by calling Dubai Police at 901, using the ‘Police Eye’ feature on the Dubai Police smart app, or reporting electronic begging through the ‘e-crime’ online platform.

Dubai Police continue to take strong action against begging to ensure a safe and secure environment during Ramadan.