Abu Dhabi Police launch anti-begging drive

The Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters launched an extensive social and media initiative on Saturday under the theme, 'No to Begging.'

The initiative, which will be implemented in cooperation with the Security Media Department at the General Secretariat of the Office of  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, falls under the framework of the 'Your Safety' campaign, to raise awareness about the risks of dealing with beggars, whose prevalence noticeably increases before and during Ramadan and other religious holidays.

Major General Omair Muhammad Ateeq Al Muhairi, Director-General of Police Operations at Abu Dhabi Police, said, "The concerned police entities, through their various headquarters and departments, are exerting significant efforts to combat this social affliction, through crackdown campaigns and awareness initiatives designed to eradicate this objectionable behaviour, which detracts from the civilised image of society and endangers community members as some beggars commit robberies under the guise of beggary."

He urged the community to donate their money through the appropriate channels to support humanitarian efforts carried out under the auspices of the competent entities during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The Security Media Department announced that in an effort to help raise public awareness and urge cooperation with police by reporting beggars, the department will publish advice about the risks of begging through the social media channels of the Abu Dhabi Police, on the display screens in a number of shopping malls in Abu Dhabi, and during Friday sermons, in cooperation with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.

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