Capital Police established continuous task forces to fight the scourge of begging, noting that it will intensify its permanent clampdown campaigns in all areas of the city of Abu Dhabi.
Brigadier Maktoum Al Sharifi, Director of the Capital Police Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police, said that begging is an uncivilized negative phenomenon; because it is a source of inconvenience, and creates an opportunity for trickery and fraud to get money from people who sympathize with these beggars. It also tarnishes the civilized image of the State, and can often lead to other crimes such as theft.
He noted that the awareness and social initiative "Together, to Fight Begging ", implemented by the Security Media Department at the Secretariat General of the Office of His Highness, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, as part of the social and security awareness campaign under the slogan" Your Safety ", aims to increase public awareness. Al Sharifi called on community members to cooperate with the police to combat the scourge of begging, since earning a living comes from hard work, not from extending their hands to get alms from others, which is contrary to the values.
Moreover, Al Sharifi explained that beggars have mastered the art of trickery to attract people’s sympathy to get money, which encourages laziness and not seeking work. He emphasized that partnership with the community to address this scourge is one of the priorities of police work.
He added that "begging" is a negative scourge that invaded the UAE society, abound in the Holy Month of Ramadan or during holidays and events; compared to the rest of the year.
He called on citizens and residents, to report this category by contacting the Operations Room on (999), or the Aman Service on 8002626 and by SMS on 2828. He appealed to the public not to sympathize with beggars who exploit their kindness to easily get money, without resorting to charitable institutions and bodies to assist them in their needs, according to the conditions and criteria applied in this regard.