Ramadan crackdown on beggars launched by Dubai Police

Dubai Police has launched a campaign to crackdown on beggars during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Dubai Police said that last year the force caught 714 beggars during the Holy Month.

“Most of the beggars came on visit visas. We had one case of a female beggar who borrowed a little boy so she could pretend he was her son and get sympathy. We also caught a bus full of 20 beggars who would be dropped off in Dubai – it was an organised business," the head of CID, Brigadier Khaleel Ibraheem Al Mansouri said.

“We have 60 police patrols distributed to different areas in Dubai, especially around malls and mosques. We ask residents not to help beggars because most of them fabricate stories to get money and help,” Al Mansouri said.

People can report beggars to cops by calling 800243.