'Cuddle-watch' lifeguards save couples from arrest

Dubai’s beach guards say part of their job has now become to issue daily warnings to tourists and visitors on the beach who get intimate in public.

Lifeguards these days are doing multiple jobs at the same time and that includes not just rescuing people from drowning but also saving them from a possible arrest.

“Many tourists unaware of local laws engage in some serious huddling and kissing on the beach and we have been on constant lookout, and of course warning them,” said one lifeguard at the Open Beach in Dubai

According to another lifeguard, tourists getting too cozy on the beach are warned a couple of times.

“Only if they ignore the warnings and continue to hug and kiss do we report them to cops.

Very rarely have we gone down that path because most tourists listen to us when we tell them of the consequences. They are here on a holiday all they want is to enjoy their stay and return,” said the guard.

Anthony Raj an Indian tourist from Tamil Nadu who was at the beach said during his hour-long stay at the beach he witnessed lifeguards warning some tourists at least three to four times.

“There was this couple who were kissing and trying to make out. At first the guards politely told them to stop. But they continued and were warned again.

But the third time they were taken aside and once again strictly warned. That is when they sort of became normal," he said.

According to him fully clothed men were also not being allowed entry into the beach.

“There were many men, fully clothed, and trying to enter the beach. They were all turned away,” he added.

According to lifeguards, signboards on the beach clearly warn tourists against any inappropriate behaviour and security staff say they have been doubling up to ensure tourists do not get into trouble with cops.

“Many tourists are aware of the local rules. However, there are many who are not,” he said.

According to them, beaches and other areas are constantly monitored by cops in plain clothes.

“They are always on patrol. There are CIDs dressed in plain clothes as well as cops in patrol cars monitoring the area,” the guard added.

In 2008 a British man and a woman were arrested and after they were caught having sex on the beach.

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