During the first half of Ramadan, the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, in collaboration with Dubai’s police stations, arrested 127 individuals engaged in begging, seizing over AED50,000 from them.
These arrests are part of Dubai Police’s ongoing “Combat Begging” initiative, which involves strategic partnerships with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Municipality, and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD).
The initiative’s primary objective is to raise awareness about the harmful effects of begging, safeguard the UAE’s public image, and curb the issue through preventative and legal measures.
Colonel Ahmad Al Adeedi, Deputy Director of the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena, emphasized that the “Combat Begging” campaign has proven highly effective, consistently reducing the number of beggars each year due to stringent actions against offenders.
He noted that Dubai Police collaborates with relevant authorities to devise a yearly security plan and increase patrols in areas where begging is more likely. He warned that begging jeopardizes public safety, damages the country’s reputation, and is often linked to crimes such as theft, pickpocketing, and the exploitation of vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and people with disabilities for illegal financial gain.
Colonel Al Adeedi encouraged individuals in need to seek assistance from authorized organizations and registered charities, which offer legitimate aid, such as financial support and iftar meals.
Captain Abdullah Khamis, Head of the Anti-Begging Section, pointed out that many beggars cite financial difficulties as an excuse, but he reminded the public that begging is illegal and punishable by law. He urged people to support security efforts by donating only to licensed charities to ensure their contributions are reaching those in genuine need, rather than inadvertently funding criminal activities.
Captain Khamis also called on the public to refrain from giving money to beggars, regardless of how convincing their appearance may be. Instead, he encouraged residents to report any incidents of begging through the following channels:
- Calling 901
- Using the “Police Eye” service on the Dubai Police smart app
- Submitting reports via the E-Crime platform at www.ecrime.ae, which handles electronic crime reports quickly and securely.
