Dubai Police arrest 9 beggars on the first day of Ramadan

Khaleej Times

03-03-2025

Dubai Police arrested nine beggars on the first day of Ramadan as part of the anti-begging campaign. Five males and four females were among those arrested.
The crackdown is part of Dubai Police's 'fight begging' campaign. The campaign aims to preserve the emirate's civilised image by combating and preventing begging.
Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department in the General Department of Criminal Investigation, stated that the anti-begging campaign is among the successful initiatives conducted in partnership with partners. Due to strict and decisive actions against offenders, the number of beggars has been reduced annually.
In the UAE, begging is a crime punishable by a fine of Dh5,000 and up to three months in prison. Those involved in organising begging rings or recruiting individuals from outside the country to solicit alms can face a six-month prison term and a Dh100,000 fine. Additionally, raising funds without a permit can result in fines of up to Dh500,000.
Al Shamsi confirmed that Dubai Police annually devises a comprehensive security plan to combat begging, intensifying patrols where beggars are likely to be found. He further stated that the Dubai Police, in their ongoing commitment to combat all negative phenomena affecting the community, annually monitors the fraudulent methods used by beggars in order to develop plans and programs to prevent these activities. "This ultimately leads to the apprehension of those involved, thereby protecting the community," Al Shamsi continued.
Exploiting feelings of compassion
He also emphasised the lengths to which beggars will go to exploit the public's goodwill, especially during significant times like the holy month. He urged the community to be wary of their manipulations, which can take various forms, including the exploitation of children, patients, and people of determination in begging to elicit sympathy. "Several cases have been reported of women begging while accompanied by children," Al Shamsi added.
He highlighted that the campaign targets all forms of begging, whether traditional—found in prayer gatherings, community meetings, and markets—or non-traditional, such as online begging and soliciting donations for building mosques abroad or claiming to need help for humanitarian reasons.
Al Shamsi emphasised that the campaign aims to achieve several key objectives, including maintaining the community's dignified image and protecting it from crimes related to both traditional and electronic begging. "Official entities and charitable organisations are available for those needing financial assistance or services like "Iftar for the Fasting," he noted.
Moreover, Al Shamsi advised against responding to beggars' pleas or interacting with them out of pity, encouraging the public to report beggars immediately via the contact center (901) or the 'Police Eye' service on the Dubai Police smart app, as well as to report cases of electronic begging through the 'E-crime' online platform.