Dubai: Dubai Police are eagerly awaiting the implementation of a proposed federal law that makes begging a criminal offence. Currently there is no unified law to tackle the menace and each emirate deals with the offence differently.
The "Combat Street Beggars" campaign which kicked off on Sunday, has dedicated more than 30 patrol units to monitor mosques and neighbourhoods to combat the menace.
The campaign will also investigate tourist companies assisting in bringing beggars into the country.
At present there are no laws to criminalise the practice of begging, said Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Acting Chief of Dubai Police, at a press conference yesterday.
Each emirate follows its own regulations. In Dubai, foreigners or expatriates are immediately deported after checking on each case.
Emiratis are referred to the public prosecution where they will get a jail term of 15 days to a month and a fine of no more than Dh3,000.
A draft federal law, which is awaiting approval from the Justice Ministry, proposes to open a criminal case against anyone involved in begging.
The proposal seeks a jail term of three months for begging and a fine of Dh10,000 as well as retrieving all amounts illegally collected, said Maj Gen Al Mazeina. For Emiratis caught in the act, the proposal seeks to admit them into an occupational rehabilitation centre, he said.
Maj Gen Al Mazeina said in the first half of this year 246 beggars were arrested.
"Our focus is not only on combating street begging but those who assist these individuals," Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Al Muhairi, Director of Tourist Security at Dubai Police, told Gulf News.
Have you come across a lot of beggars? Do you think the proposed law will be effective in stopping tourist companies from bringing in beggars?
