Dubai: Dubai Police has warned the public against dealing with beggars and itinerant butchers who exploit circumstances, particularly during holidays and festive occasions. The Force noted that 50 beggars and itinerant butchers were arrested during Eid Al Adha last year.

Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Criminal Phenomena Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation of Dubai Police, stated that Dubai Police continuously monitors the fraudulent methods used by beggars as part of its commitment to combating all negative phenomena affecting society. “The ‘Anti- Begging’ campaign, implemented by the Dubai Police in cooperation with strategic partners, aims to develop plans and programmes to curb such practices and arrest those involved to protect the community,” he continued.

Brig. Al Shamsi explained that the campaign tackles all forms of begging, whether traditional—in places where worshippers gather, majlis, and markets—or non-traditional, such as e-begging, soliciting donations for building mosques abroad, or claiming to seek help for humanitarian cases. He indicated that the campaign's objectives include preserving the civilised image of society, protecting the community from crimes associated with traditional and electronic begging, and combating and preventing the crimes of begging and organised begging.

Exploiting Emotions
Brig. Al Shamsi pointed out that beggars always attempt to exploit the feelings of compassion and goodwill that prevail during Ramadan or holidays to achieve unlawful gains. He warned against engaging with such behaviours, which take several forms, including the exploitation of children, the sick, and people of determination to gain sympathy. He noted that several cases of women begging with children have been arrested.

He added that beggars seek to appeal to people's sympathy during religious occasions and holidays by begging in a fraudulent and professional manner, which constitutes a criminal offence punishable by law.

Brig. Al Shamsi affirmed that there are official channels for charitable work and providing assistance through recognised charitable organisations to ensure donations reach those who deserve them, urging the public to donate through these official channels.

Itinerant Butchers
Furthermore, Brig. Al Shamsi also warned the public against dealing with itinerant butchers, calling on them to avoid the risks of unhygienic slaughter. He explained that these practices pose a significant risk to public health, as their health requirements are incomplete, if not entirely absent in most cases. “Itinerant butchers carry out slaughter without adhering to health requirements, in unhygienic locations that are not subject to sterilisation, and using the same tools from house to house without cleaning or sterilisation,” Brig. Al Shamsi continued.

Reporting Channels
Brig. Al Shamsi called on the public to report beggars or itinerant butchers by calling the toll-free number 901 or through the "Police Eye" service available on the Dubai Police smart app. “E-begging can also be reported via the "e-Crime" platform,” he concluded.