Dubai Police arrest 26 beggars in first week of Ramadan 2026
During the first week of Ramadan, Dubai Police also apprehended beggars of numerous nationalities as part of an annual initiative which they are conducting in line with the anti-begging drive.
The arrests were made by the General Department of Criminal Investigation, represented by the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena, in cooperation with police stations across the emirate as part of the “Combat Begging” campaign launched by Dubai Police.
Launched under the slogan “A Conscious Society, Free of Begging”, the campaign is being executed in coordination with strategic partners including General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai and Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department to promote awareness around upholding the civilised image of the country as Muslims against begging.
Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Department of Suspects and Criminal Phenomena at the General Department of Criminal Investigation in Dubai Police, said that such awareness campaigns every year have proven effective as it decreases beggars numbers annually through stringent measures against violators.
He said 26 people had been arrested during the first week of the holy month alone.
Al Shamsi explained that Dubai Police monitor fraudulent techniques used by beggars every year and plan programmes to combat such practices and protect society.
Some of these people, he cautioned, seek to take advantage of Ramadan's spiritual environment — a month characterized by compassion and generosity — in order to gain illegal profits. Exploiting children, sick and people of determination to elicit sympathy are among the tactics observed. A few such cases have already been recorded, he said.
Official means are available for charitable contributions through established charities and humanitarian agencies, he pointed out, "to ensure that donations reach deserving beneficiaries."
Residents were urged to report beggars by calling the toll-free number 901 or through the “Police Eye” service available on the Dubai Police smart application. Online begging can also be reported through the e-Crime.
Dubai Police reaffirmed that the fight against begging is a collective community responsibility, urging members of the society to cooperate in preserving security and social stability throughout the holy month.
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