Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Interior announced it has launched a campaign to combat begging as Ramadan approaches and to raise awareness among the public on the dangers of interacting with beggars.
Under the campaign, teams of police officers and other authorities are boosting their patrols across the country in order to limit the presence of beggars.
Lieutenant General Saif Al Shafar, undersecretary at the Ministry of Interior, said that the scourge of street beggars ruins the reputation of the UAE as a civilised nation, and presents an image of fraud and theft from the community.
He pointed out that beggars often manipulate the public by using different methods to appeal to their sentimental side especially during Ramadan when people are more charitable, adding that the police is putting in a lot of effort by patrolling the country to end this scourge.
Al Shafar urged people to make sure their charity and donations are going to the right authorities that ensure underprivileged people are being provided with help.
Similarly, Abu Dhabi Police said it will be patrolling residential areas and arresting beggars, urging the public to report any beggars using the free hotline 8002626 or by sending a text message to 2828.
