Community urged not to patronise beggars
On this year’s inaugural day of Ramadan, 17 beggars were apprehended across Dubai emirate in the United Arab Emirates in a coordinated effort spearheaded by the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department of the General Department of Criminal Investigation and Dubai police stations.
The enforcement forms part of Dubai’s ‘Fight Begging’ campaign, an initiative launched by Dubai Police with key UAE-based partners, including the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, Dubai Municipality, and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. This programme aims to curb and forestall the practice of begging.
Colonel Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department in the General Department of Criminal Investigation at Dubai Police, lauded the anti-begging campaign as one of the success stories achieved through robust partnerships.
Al Shamsi noted: ” On the first day of Ramadan, 17 individuals were arrested, comprising 13 males and four females.”
Emphasising the annual formulation of a comprehensive security blueprint to combat begging across Dubai, Al Shamsi stressed the critical nature of intensified police patrols in areas frequented by beggars.
Detrimental impact
He underscored the detrimental impact of begging on community security, the UAE’s reputation, and its overall civilised demeanour. Al Shamsi highlighted the grave consequences associated with begging, including its correlation with criminal activities such as theft and the exploitation of vulnerable demographics for nefarious gains.
“Official entities and charitable organisations stand ready to extend financial assistance or services such as ‘Iftar for the Fasting’ to those in genuine need,” Al Shamsi assured.
Al Shamsi urged community members in Dubai to channel their philanthropic inclinations through legitimate channels, ensuring their contributions reach deserving beneficiaries rather than inadvertently fostering criminal activities linked to begging.
In addition, Al Shamsi cautioned against succumbing to emotional appeals from beggars or engaging with them out of misplaced sympathy. He warned against falling prey to solicitous online communications from beggars via social media or email, often featuring fabricated narratives.
Al Shamsi urged individuals to disregard such messages and promptly report them at www.ecrime.ae
Featured image: Beggars may feature fabricated narratives via social media or email. Credit: Ainur Iman
