Sharjah police issue porn warning

SHARJAH // Police have warned about pornographic movies that show sex offenders how to lure young victims are being distributed in the emirate.

Officers have confiscated films that show how children can be lured with sweets or money and investigations have revealed that these movies are being distributed among labourers and bachelors living in industrial areas. A police spokesperson said a number of people had been arrested.

"We have found out that some of the prohibited movies were smuggled from an Asian country. But some of the movies were made in the UAE by gang members who were using a secret location for illegal activities," said Colonel Sultan Abdullah Al Khayal, director of media and public retentions at Sharjah Police.

"We have witnessed an increasing number of sexual harassment cases and such prohibited movies can be a strong reason leading to the targeting of children."

A report prepared by Sharjah Police's Organised Crimes Section discovered that many of the sexual harassment cases reported in the emirate involved children who had been targeted and assaulted in elevators or poorly lit areas in residential neighbourhoods.

"Watching such movies for long times makes the viewer addicted and willing to practice what they watch in reality. They usually find children an easy target," said Col Al Khayal.

"Many countries, including the UAE, apply hefty penalties to offenders and people who trade in these movies. They are immediately referred to court.

"Parents must provide adequate and safe information about sex to their children in a way that ensures they can figure out these dangers."

Police are seeking help from members of the public to stop these movies being circulated.

Parents of young children are urged not to allow them to talk or interact with strangers. They should not stay away from home for long periods of time and should not visit supermarkets or groceries alone.

"Children have to be protected while working to curb negative practices that endanger them," said Col Al Khayal.

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