Dubai: The Suspicious Persons and Criminal Phenomena Department of Dubai Police's General Department of Criminal Investigation, in cooperation with police stations across the emirate, arrested 37 beggars of various nationalities during the second week of Ramadan.

The arrests were made as part of the Combat Begging campaign launched by Dubai Police under the slogan "An Aware Society Without Begging," in cooperation with strategic partners, including the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai. The campaign aims to raise community awareness and preserve the nation's civilized image by preventing and combating the crime of begging.

Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Suspicious Persons and Criminal Phenomena Department of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, confirmed that the "Combat Begging" campaign remains one of the department's key successful campaigns launched in cooperation with its partners. “Thanks to firm legal action against apprehended beggars, the campaign has led to a steady yearly decline in begging cases, with 37 beggars of various nationalities arrested in the second week of Ramadan,” he added.

Al Shamsi indicated that Dubai Police closely monitor evolving begging methods each year to develop effective countermeasures and safeguard the community. "Beggars often exploit the spirit of compassion during Ramadan for illegal gains, using tactics that include involving children, the sick, and people of determination to evoke sympathy," he continued, urging the public not to engage with such deceptive practices and noting that several cases involving these methods have already been apprehended.

The Director of the Suspicious Persons and Criminal Phenomena Department also noted that official charitable entities and institutions to ensure donations reach those in need, urging the public to give only through these official channels.

Al Shamsi further called on community members to report beggars by calling the toll free number 901 or using the "Police Eye" service on the Dubai Police app, as well as to report electronic begging cases via the "e Crime" platform.