Dubai: As part of Dubai Police’s campaign "Begging is a Wrong concept of Compassion”, the Naif Police Station has arrested 104 violators, including 55 beggars and 49 street vendors since the beginning of Ramadan.

Brigadier Tarik Tahlak, Director of Naif Police Station, said they operate per an integrated security plan to combat begging in cooperation with partners and intensify patrols in places expected to be frequented by beggars.

Brig. Tahlak explained that street begging occurs everywhere around the world and, in Dubai, we take the matter seriously as it ruins the reputation of the emirate and also affects the security as it increases cases of thefts and pickpocketing.

“During Ramadan, beggars ask for things like financial aids or ‘Iftar’ meals so people would feel for them or show compassion,” “Members of the public should not fall for such scams, and should know that local authorities and charities indeed help the truly needy and provide them with social support or train them for work,” Brig. Tahlak said.

The Dubai Police urged all citizens and residents not to be sympathetic with beggars and instead donate to official charities. They also asked the public to report beggars to the toll-free number 901 or through the Police Eye service via Dubai Police App, and to report cyber-beggars and online suspicious activities on www.ecrime.ae