Dubai: Members of the public are being urged to inform the authorities about illegal residents after about 5,000 were arrested this year, said senior Ministry of Interior official.

Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director General of Dubai General Department for Residency and Foreigners Affairs, said on Monday that the public must cooperate with authority by informing it about illegal residents which will benefit in protecting society.

"People can call the Amer free toll number on 8005111 around the clock," said Major General Al Merri. He said the Dubai Residency Department managed to arrest around 5,000 illegal residents this year. "We appreciate the efforts of the public who inform us about illegal residents," he said. The Amer service received from 500 complaints from the public this year.

"The department sorted out 98 per cent of those complaints," he said.