Police in Sharjah, UAE, has caught 94 beggars since the beginning of Ramadan. Many of them have been caught with large amounts of money in their possession, including one with Dh44,000. Another one of them had more than Dh9,000 in hand, while a third one was caught with Dh12,000 cash.
The arrests of the beggars are part of a campaign that was launched by Dubai authorities at the beginning of the holy month to enhance the security situation in the Emirate.
Head of the team for preventing begging in Sharjah, Lt Colonel Jassim Mohammed bin Taliah, said that most of these beggars entered the country on visit visas. Some are also residents who benefit from this holy month to make instant profits.
Of these 94, 29 are women, and the rest, 65 are men, who were reported through the direct communication channels, 80040 and 901 that is given by Sharjah Police. Some of these were caught during field campaigns undertaken by the police teams across the Emirate.
Lt Colonel Jassim said that this campaign was launched as per the directives of the Ministry of the Interior and is a continuation of the efforts of the Sharjah Police to control these illegal practices, which are considered as a crime punishable by law in Dubai.
He further stated that the number of those beggars who were arrested during the years 2020 and 2021 had reached 1409, and the total amount that has been seized from them is even more than Dh50 million.
The official further explained that the security teams would continue their actions to combat the phenomenon. He advised the members of the public to collaborate with the police and report these criminals, and begging is considered a crime under Dubai law, and people take disadvantage during the holy month of Ramadan.