DUBAI // Nineteen people have been arrested for begging on the streets in areas in and around Al Qusais.
Brig Ahmed bin Ghulaita Al Mehairi, director of Al Qusais Police Station, said that they have had 13 cases of begging from January 1 up until June 22. Last year, the station recorded 31 cases, in which 47 beggars were arrested.
“Beggars usually target areas where they know many Emiratis and families live,” he said.
He urged people to cooperate with police and call the free hotline 800CID or 0522106969.
“I understand that some people may be concerned about contacting the police but there is nothing to be worried about,” said Brig Al Mehairi. “We will not ask them for additional information or their licence plate numbers, we would just want to know where they saw the beggars, that’s it.”
He also said that most beggars - more than 90 per cent - were in the country on tourist visas.
“The come here especially to make money illegally, and there are others who have made a business out of it, offering people a place to stay for a cut of their earnings in return,” said Brig Al Mehairi. “It is important that people not fall victim to such scams, as the beggars try to manipulate people into feeling sorry for them, especially during Ramadan.”
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
