Sharjah/Ajman: As many as 137 beggars were arrested since the launch of an anti-begging campaign by authorities in Sharjah and Ajman, officials said on Sunday.
Colonel Ebrahim Al Ajel, director of the Criminal and Investigation Department in Sharjah Police, said 113 beggars were arrested in Sharjah. Residents in the emirate are being asked to call dedicated numbers and report what is described as “seasonal begging”.
The “Combat Begging & Help Indigents” campaign kicked off on first day of Ramadan and aims to curb the beggar menace.
Residents can call 901 and hotline number 80040 and report instances of begging in Sharjah.
“The aim of this campaign is to encourage the public to cooperate with the police and protect the emirate,” he said.
Police said the number of beggars arrested decreased drastically. Of the 113 caught, 44 were women, he said.
“Police patrols have been deployed at places where beggars are found. They take advantage of Ramadan and go to mosques and markets, banks and residential areas to ask people for money. People who have limited resources or face difficult situations in the UAE can contact any of the authorised charity and humanitarian organisations, who will study their individual cases and offer them help in a legal and safe manner.”
Meanwhile, Ajman Police arrested 24 people suspected of begging following raids in different parts of the emirate.
The suspects included 13 men and 11 women.
Ajman Police have deported some of the suspects, who hail from Asian and Arab countries.
Police recently launched an anti-begging campaign called ‘We are all against begging’. Residents can call dedicated number 06-7034310 to report begging.
Beggars take advantage of Ramadan and go to mosques and markets, banks and residential areas to ask people for money, police said.
Major Ahmad Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director of Ajman Criminal and Investigation Department, said, “People who have limited resources or face difficult situations in the UAE can contact any of the authorised charity and humanitarian organisations, who will study their individual cases and offer them help in a legal and safe manner.”
