Ramadan begging arrests drop in RAK, police say

Police say drop is due to their efforts to safeguard the public from those out to trick them into giving money.

RAS AL KHAIMAH // Seven beggars have been arrested since the beginning of the holy month, compared to 30 last year, police said.

Public reports of begging has also decreased, from 163 last year to four this year, said Colonel Abdullah Ali Munkis, director of the Criminal Investigation Department at RAK Police.

“The emirate is witnessing a marked decline in the number of beggars from both genders and different nationalities, and that is due to the security and media efforts of RAK Police for the second year in a row to deter beggars,” he said.

“Arresting beggars avoids their negative effects and protects society from behavioural abnormalities and crimes.”

RAK Police has launched a Ramadan awareness programme called The Beggar, which aims to enlighten the public on begging techniques and tricks, on the force's social media channels.