Ramadan 2023: UAE Police Warn Residents Against Helping Beggars, Introducing Campaigns To Reduce Crime Rate

From November 2022 till March 2023, the UAE police authorities have caught several beggars in various emirates.

The police said that many individuals and groups have been found amassing large sums of money by begging. The police officials have requested the UAE residents not to give money to beggars and to make donations through registered organisations only.

Before the beginning of the holy month, the police have repeatedly reminded the residents that begging is a crime punishable by law. Cops have also warned the community against engaging with beggars.

Across the UAE, the police are stepping up patrols to crack down on beggars, before and during the holy month of Ramadan.

Top police officials at various emirates have confirmed that most of the beggars have been recruited by organised gangs from outside the country. They deceive the community members, especially when the country is observing the holy month of Ramadan.

“Begging can lead to other crimes such as burglary and exploiting children, the elderly and people of determination to raise money illegally,” the police warned.

Last Ramadan, the Dubai Police arrested 604 individuals, including 382 beggars and 222 street peddlers. The authority received 2,235 reports from residents related to begging, including 1,956 reports through the (901) call centre and 279 via the ‘Police Eye’ service.

Colonel Ali Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, Director of the Anti-Infiltration Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, said the police have launched its annual anti-begging campaign to curb beggary, raise awareness of its dangers, and guide community members to official and reliable channels for donation.

Under the slogan ‘Begging is a Wrong Concept of Compassion’, the campaign was launched in cooperation with partners, including the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, and the Dubai Municipality.