Dubai police arrested 12 people on the first day of Ramadan in an operation to tackle begging.
The arrests on Tuesday were part of the force’s anti-begging campaign launched several days ago under the slogan "begging is misunderstood for compassion”.
Police urged well-intentioned people not to be duped by anyone begging and instead donate to registered charities.
"There is an integrated security plan to combat begging in co-operation with partners, which includes intensifying patrols in places expected to be frequented by beggars," said Col Ali Salem of Dubai Police.
He also asked the public to report beggars to the toll-free number 901 or by using the Police Eye service available on the Dubai Police smartphone app.
Hundreds of beggars are usually arrested every Ramadan. It is believed that many come to the UAE on visit visas.
Ramadan begins in the UAE: in pictures
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People visit the Ramadan Reflection room at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. The room is filled with hanging lamps and mirrors. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Men attend Friday prayers during the second Friday of Ramadan in Dubai. EPA -
Ramadan decoration at The Dubai Mall in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
A Sri Lankan community group distributes 300 meals to workers at the Fakhruddin Camp in Sonapur, Dubai, with the help of Al Watani volunteers and the CDA. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Masjid Rawda Al Abrar is seen with the Burj Khalifa in the distance just before sunset in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National. -
The cannon firing in front of Qasr Al Hosn, in Abu Dhabi, marks the end of day's fasting. Victor Besa/The National -
Customers buy delicacies hours before breaking their Ramadan fast in Dubai. Getty Images -
An abra driver prepares an Iftar meal, in Dubai. Getty Images -
Ramadan decorations at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A minaret stands among the skyscrapers in Barsha Heights, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Flowers outside a mosque in Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The crescent moon appears above the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque at Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Visitors look at a display of Ramadan lanterns in the main lobby of Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Ramadan decorations at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Nancy Safy, an artist in Dubai and founder of To Infinity & Beyond, a business known for hand-painted art, gives a demonstration during iftar at Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf. Pawan Singh / The National -
Men pray at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai during Ramadan, a month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint. Getty -
People visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah on the second day of Ramadan, the month of fasting. AFP -
A man prays at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai as Muslims across the world observe Ramadan. Getty -
A view of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, on the first evening of Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National -
A view of the Omar Ali bin Haider Mosque in Deira, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
The interior of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah. AFP -
Worshippers at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai as the faithful mark Ramadan, a month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint. Getty -
A worshipper at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Getty Images -
Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah is lit up on the second day of Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Ramadan decorations on City Walk in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Ramadan cannon at Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah signals the end of fasting. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Masjid Bani Hashim in Dubai after sunrise on the third day of Ramadan. The mosque was built as a replica of Palestine’s Dome of the Rock. Victor Besa / The National
