Boy, 14, spotted begging near mosque reunited with mother in Dubai
He had fled home after parents divorced and was helped by police who spoke to his parents
Dubai: A 14-year-old boy who had fled his father’s home and resorted to begging has been reunited with his mother, Dubai Police said on Sunday.
His plight was discovered during the ‘Combat Begging’ campaign of Dubai Police, which has been stepped up in Ramadan.
The boy had left home due to family disputes after his parents had divorced.
Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Suspicious Persons and Criminal Phenomena Department of the General Department of Criminal Investigations in Dubai Police, revealed that the department received information regarding a child who was observed begging near a mosque in Dubai.
“Swift action was taken to approach and support the child, and his story was attentively heard. It became apparent that the child had resorted to begging as a result of intense family disputes stemming from the divorce and his father’s remarriage, which compelled him to flee the house and take to the streets for assistance,” Brig Al Shamsi said.
The director highlighted the swift action taken by the task team at the Suspicious Persons and Criminal Phenomena Department, who immediately contacted the child’s family.
“After listening to the perspectives of each party, an agreement was reached for the child to reside with his mother, who will provide the best care and support for him, especially in light of his father’s remarriage. This decision opens the door to a fresh beginning in the child’s life, filled with hope and positive prospects.”
Brig Al Shamsi appealed to parents to ensure their children’s well-being by resolving family disputes.
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Vigilance against begging
Speaking about the campaign, Brig Al Shamsi urged community members to avoid beggars who “manipulate people’s emotions” by using “fabricated stories”. Their “deceptive tactics” commonly are employed near mosque entrances, clinics, hospitals, markets, and streets, he added.
Brig Al Shamsi encouraged the public to report beggars immediately via the contact centre 901 or the ‘Police Eye’ service on the Dubai Police app. Additionally, he urged reporting cyber beggars via the e-Crime platform (www.ecrime.ae).
The director pointed out that official charities are available for individuals to seek financial assistance, reminding the public that begging is illegal and punishable under Federal Law concerning combating begging.