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The National
04-04-2025
- The National
Dubai Police arrest 222 beggars during Ramadan and Eid
Dubai Police arrested more than 220 people for begging, during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr, as part of an annual campaign to curb the practice. Those arrested comprised men and women of various nationalities, authorities said on Friday afternoon. Begging is illegal in the UAE and punishable by up to three months in jail and fines of up to Dh5,000. The arrests were carried out under an annual plan by police in the emirate to step up patrols in areas where beggars were expected, according to Col Ahmed Al Adidi, acting director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigations. The campaign has contributed to reducing the number of beggars due to the strict and decisive measures taken, he added. The push to clamp down on begging focused on tactics used by beggars, such as gathering at places where people go to worship, making deceitful requests for online donations and falsely seeking help towards building mosques in other countries, according to the statement. Captain Abdullah Khamis advised people to only make donations through official channels. Last week, The National reported that police in Abu Dhabi arrested 237 people for begging during the month of Ramadan.
Arab Times
22-03-2025
- Arab Times
Dubai Police Arrest 127 Beggars, Seize Over Dh50,000 During Ramadan Crackdown
DUBAI, March 22: The "Fight Begging" campaign, launched to combat this issue, aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the nation's civilized image by addressing and preventing the crime of begging. Colonel Ahmed Al Adidi, Deputy Director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department emphasized that the anti-begging campaign has contributed to a consistent annual reduction in the number of beggars, thanks to the stringent and decisive measures implemented by authorities. Colonel Al Adidi explained that Dubai Police, in collaboration with its partners, develops a comprehensive security plan each year to tackle begging. This includes increasing patrols in areas where beggars are likely to be present. He highlighted that begging not only threatens societal security but also tarnishes the country's image and undermines its civilized appearance. Furthermore, he noted that begging is often linked to other criminal activities, such as theft, pickpocketing, and the exploitation of vulnerable groups, including children, the sick, and people of determination, for illicit financial gain. Authorities urged individuals seeking financial assistance to approach official entities, organizations, and registered charitable associations, which are equipped to provide support in a structured and lawful manner. Dubai Police also called on the public to help reduce the prevalence of begging by directing their charitable contributions to legitimate charitable organizations. This ensures that donations reach those truly in need, rather than fueling criminal activities carried out under the guise of begging. Captain Abdullah Khamis, Head of the Anti-Begging Section, advised the public not to respond to beggars' appeals or be swayed by their appearance, no matter how pitiful it may seem. Instead, he encouraged citizens to assist law enforcement by promptly reporting any instances of begging through the Dubai Police call center (901), the "Police Eye" service on the Dubai Police smart app, or the E-Crime platform. This collective effort, he stressed, is essential in curbing the spread of begging-related crimes and maintaining the integrity of the community.
Khaleej Times
21-03-2025
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Police arrest 127 beggars, seize over Dh50,000 in first half of Ramadan
Dubai Police arrested 127 beggars during the first half of Ramadan, seizing more than Dh50,000 in their possession. The "Fight Begging" campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the country's civilised image by combating and preventing the crime of begging. The anti-begging campaign contributes to reducing the number of beggars annually, due to the strict and decisive measures taken, Colonel Ahmed Al Adidi, Deputy Director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department, stressed. Dubai Police annually develops an integrated security plan to combat begging in cooperation with partners, by intensifying patrols in areas where beggars are expected to be present, Colonel Ahmed Al Adidi said. He pointed out that the phenomenon of begging threatens the security of society, harms the image of the country, and distorts its civilised appearance. The problem of begging is linked to other crimes such as theft, pickpocketing, and the exploitation of children, the sick, and people of determination in begging to achieve illicit gains, he added. To request financial assistance, individuals can turn to official bodies, organisations, and charitable associations, authorities stressed. Dubai Police called on members of society to contribute in reducing the phenomenon of begging by donating their charity money to charitable organisations and associations, to ensure that it reaches those who deserve it among the poor and needy, and not to be a cause of the spread of crimes committed by beggars under the guise of begging. Do not respond to beggars' solicitations, or treat them with pity and compassion due to their appearance, Captain Abdullah Khamis, Head of the Anti-Begging Section, said. He asked the public to assist the police by immediately reporting any beggar spotted anywhere to the call centre (901) or through the "Police Eye" service available on the Dubai Police smart application, in addition to the E-Crime website.
Filipino Times
16-03-2025
- Filipino Times
Dubai Police nabs 33 beggars in first 10 days of Ramadan
Dubai Police has arrested 33 beggars of various nationalities in the first ten days of Ramadan as part of their anti-begging campaign, aiming to maintain the country's dignified image and prevent illegal begging activities. Colonel Ahmed Al Odaidi, Deputy Director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, highlighted the success of 'A Conscious Society, Free of Beggars' campaign in curbing the rise of beggars each year. 'This campaign has effectively reduced the number of beggars each year, thanks to strict measures taken against those apprehended. In the first ten days of the holy month, the campaign resulted in the arrest of 33 beggars from various nationalities,' Colonel Al Odaidi stated. He added that patrols have been increased in areas where begging is common, and authorities continue to monitor deceptive tactics used to gain public sympathy, including online begging. Police warn that beggars may exploit children, patients, or people of determination to solicit money, while cases of women begging with children have also been reported. Begging is a criminal offense in the UAE, punishable by imprisonment of up to three months and a fine of AED 5,000. Dubai Police are urging residents to refrain from giving money to beggars and instead donate through official charitable organizations that provide financial assistance to those in need. 'Official entities and charitable organisations are available for those needing financial assistance or services like 'Iftar for the Fasting,'' Al Odaidi said. Dubai Police urges the public to donate through official charities instead, and report beggars via 901, the 'Police Eye' app, or the 'E-crime' platform.
Gulf Today
12-03-2025
- Gulf Today
Dubai arrests a beggar using talismans to gain sympathy
As part of their ongoing campaign against begging, the Dubai Police arrested a woman who was begging in an unusual way. She used talismans to gain sympathy from passers-by. Officers noticed that people would give her money as soon as they stopped in front of her. When they searched her, they found scraps of paper with incomprehensible symbols and folded papers with people's names sewn together with a needle and thread. This initiative forms part of the ongoing efforts of the Dubai Police to maintain community security and combat negative phenomena. As part of its security initiatives, Dubai Police have successfully caught numerous individuals engaged in fraudulent activities designed to gain the sympathy of the community. In a separate crack down, an individual engaged in begging was apprehended in possession of documentation pertaining to regular deliveries amounting to Dhs8,700. This incident is part of a series of cases. Another incident involved an Asian man who was arrested in possession of Dhs42,000 that had been collected from begging. The campaign also resulted in the arrest of a young Arab man who had disguised himself as a woman, wearing an Abaya and Niqab, in the vicinity of a mosque. Upon apprehension, the individual confessed to employing this stratagem to elicit sympathy, operating under the belief that female beggars receive more assistance than their male counterparts. Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, explained that the campaigns are continuing around the clock in cooperation with the relevant authorities. Al Shamsi emphasised that individuals engaging in begging employ diverse techniques to elicit sympathy, particularly during the month of Ramadan. He underscored that it is important to refrain from sympathising with such individuals, as the narratives they present are frequently contrived. Al Shamsi further noted that the Dubai Police engage in annual monitoring of these deceptive methods to formulate effective strategies and programmes for their mitigation. Anti-begging initiatives are implemented with the objective of addressing diverse forms of begging, encompassing both conventional practices, such as soliciting funds on a street corner, and contemporary manifestations of this practice. These include the use of electronic means for solicitation, as well as the purported collection of funds for non-existent projects. Captain Khamis Abdullah Al Naqbi, Head of the Anti-Begging Section, warned of dealing with empathy with individuals engaged in begging and street vending activities. He also called upon members of the public to report any such violations by contacting the 901 number or utilising the 'Police Eye' service available on the Dubai Police app. This appeal forms part of the ongoing Ramadan campaign, which is operating on a 24-hour basis with the aim of identifying and penalising those responsible for any violations and thereby safeguarding the civilised appearance of the emirate.
