458 beggars arrested in Dubai during Ramadan, Eid

As many as 458 beggars were arrested in Dubai during the month of Ramadan, including 23 during the Eid holidays.

Inspections had been stepped up by Dubai Police during the holy month as part of a major crackdown on the illegal practice.

As per federal law, anyone caught begging in the UAE will be fined AED 5,000 and jailed for up to three months.

Meanwhile, those operating professional gangs of beggars or recruiting people from outside the country to work as beggars face a jail term of not less than six months and a minimum fine of AED 100,000.

"Begging poses a serious threat to the safety and security of our society. We take the matter seriously as it ruins the reputation of the emirate and also affects the security as it increases cases of thefts and pickpocketing," said Colonel Ali Salem, Director of the Department of Infiltrators at Dubai Police.

He urged the public not to show sympathy to such individuals, and to donate only to official charities.