137 beggars arrested in Sharjah and Ajman

As many as 137 beggars were arrested since the launch of an anti-begging campaign by authorities in Sharjah and Ajman, officials said yesterday.

Colonel Ebrahim Al Ajel, director of the Criminal and Investigation Department in Sharjah Police, said 113 beggars were arrested in Sharjah. Residents in the emirate are being asked to call dedicated numbers and report what is described as “seasonal begging”.

The “Combat Begging & Help Indigents” campaign kicked off on the first day of Ramadan and aims to curb the beggar menace.

Residents can call 901 and hotline number 80040 and report instances of begging in Sharjah.

“The aim of this campaign is to encourage the public to cooperate with the police and protect the emirate,” he said.

Police said the number of beggars arrested decreased drastically. Of the 113 caught, 44 were women, he said.

Meanwhile, Ajman Police arrested 24 people suspected of begging. The suspects included 11 women.

Ajman Police have deported some of the suspects, who hail from Asian and Arab countries.