Caught in the act: Dubai beach indecency

Dubai : Police caught 6,385 people - or 21 daily - for offences on the beach in the first 10 months of this year, with infractions ranging from serious acts of indecency to alcohol consumption and swimming fully clothed.

Police records show that 4,596 of the offences involved people caught swimming while fully clothed (it's considered a safety hazard), while 427 cases involved people caught swimming in just their underwear.

Colonel Mohammad Jasem Al Za'abi, Director of Ports Police Centre, said 978 beach pests were also seized for ogling at women and 348 voyeurs were found taking photographs of women on the beach without their knowledge.

The centre is in charge of policing ports, marine transportation and public beaches - Jumeirah Open Beach, Jumeirah Beach Park and Mamzar Beach Park.

Since 2004, Dubai has put out patrols to comb the beaches.

In 2008, a total of 7,320 beach offences - or 20 daily - were recorded.

Deaths down

Colonel Al Za'abi said there were six deaths and four injuries this year on the beach, down from 16 deaths and five injuries last year.

This year, there were two cases of harassment targeting wrong victims - female police officers working undercover. One case took place last month in which a 38-year-old European sexually harassed a corporal, who was on patrol at Jumeirah Open Beach. 

Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Indian nationals topped the list of beach offenders this year, he said. Many of them are workers who have fled from their sponsors.

Two people wanted for issuing bounced cheques were also apprehended during a beach sweep.

Police also caught 15 serious offenders who are now facing legal action, including 11 cases of alcohol consumption, eight cases of theft, two cases of homosexuality and one case each of indecency and drug consumption.

Indecent acts include intimate kissing between couples, touching each other or touching oneself inappropriately, said Colonel Al Za'abi. "Our aim is to make beachgoers feel comfortable and protected from groups of repulsive men as tourists visiting Dubai's beaches grow," he said.

More than 3.1 million people visited Dubai's beaches last year, he reported, while urging people to report illegal or indecent acts.