Dubai Police arrest more than 200 beggars

DUBAI // More than 200 beggars have been arrested since mid-June as part of a clampdown by Dubai Police.

Col Mohammed Al Muheiri, from Dubai Police’s tourist security department, said of the 209 arrests, 166 were men, 34 women, and nine were children.

“Once we get a report that there are people begging, we request the exact location as well as a descriptions ... what they are wearing and what methods they are using to gain sympathy from others,” said Col Al Muheiri. “We then send one of our 30 patrols deployed across the city where they are caught red handed.”

He said that members of the public had contributed to the police’s anti-begging campaign, which will continue until after Eid Al Fitr.

Anyone arrested for begging is referred to the prosecutors, followed by deportation.

“Dubai Police is not heartless and we are not without a sense of humanity,” said Col Al Muheiri. “However, it is important to note a majority of these people are not in fact in need but are taking advantage of the kindness of people.”

Maj Abdullah Atiq, director of the investigation department at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, said companies found sponsoring people who pose as beggars would be fined up to Dh7,000.