Beggar with Dhs14,000 in his possession arrested in Sharjah

Sharjah Police’s anti-begging teams arrested a beggar with Dhs14,000 in his possession, which he had collected in just three days.

"Begging is a negative phenomenon that poses a security and social challenge, as beggars exploit the sympathy of the public to make illicit gains as fast as possible," said Brigadier General Omer Al Ghazal Al Shamsi, Director of Special Tasks Department, who is also head of control committee for beggars and street vendors.

"Cases where beggars were involved included an Arab, who, based on a report by a member of the society, was arrested while he was begging from worshippers near a mosque, alleging he was facing a financial hardship," Al Shamsi said.

A police patrol rushed to the scene and arrested him to find that he was staying illegally in the country and had Dhs14,000 in his possession, he added, noting that on interrogation, he was found to have collected the amount in only three days of begging.

Al Shamsi pointed out that through their awareness campaign launched at the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan under the title ‘Begging is a crime and giving is a responsibility,’ Sharjah Police were exerting relentless efforts to combat this phenomenon.

They were doing so by intensifying military and civilian patrols to apprehend beggars and street vendors, some of whom turned begging into a seasonal profession, particularly during the holy month, he said.

Sharjah Police are calling on the public not to respond to beggars and to report any begging case by calling the toll-free number 80040 or via the call centre 901.