Dubai Police have reported the arrest of an Asian beggar at Al Quoz who made up to Dh 100,000 in one month during the launch of their anti-begging campaign in time for the Ramadan period.
Police station Acting Director Brigadier Abdel Hameed Abdulla Al Hashimi shared that the Dubai Police is fully committed to monitor begging activities during the holy month and to arrest perpetrators who take advantage of the kindness of the masses especially during the season.
The campaign, themed ‘Together Against Begging’ seeks the support of the public to report incidents at their hotline: 901.
Al Hashimi furthered that the activities of these beggars concentrate on highly populated areas, including Ramadan tents, parking spots, residential areas, markets, and places of worship.
“Most of the beggars come on visit visas and some are brought by tourist companies who are supposed to check on people before bringing them here,” said Brigadier Al Hashimi, as per a report from Khaleej Times.
He adds that tourist companies who granted the beggar their visit visa will also be held liable – with fines of up to Dh 2,000 as well as a possibility to be blacklisted if such actions occur repeatedly.
What you can do to help
Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities’ Mohammed Mehdi Al Suwaidi suggested that instead of giving them money, citizens can guide the people who need assistance to more than 17 accredited charitable organizations in Dubai. “Begging is punishable by law. Many beggars have been recently caught by Dubai Police, DNRD and police patrols. A special team of woman cops has been monitoring female beggars in public places, especially in shopping areas,” said Al Suwaidi.
With more than 40,000 cases of individuals seeking assistance, Al Suwaidi stressed that if their need is justified, they will be provided with the help that they require from the authorities who are on their case.
Statistics from Dubai Police have shown improvements on their campaign against begging with the declining number of arrested beggars through the years. In 2018, 136 men and 107 women were arrested for a total of 243 beggars. This number is a huge improvement compared to the past three years where 2017 saw 653 arrested, while there were 1,021 and 1,405 individuals nabbed in 2016 and 2015 respectively.
#DubaiPolice Launch an anti-begging campaign urging the public not to be sympathetic with beggars. Under the theme “Don't encourage beggars & be a turning point”, the public urged to donate only to recognized charitable organizations. pic.twitter.com/7aaxfbU0jV
— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) May 5, 2019
