'Keep UAE beaches safe for all'

Beach patrols of the Ports Police Station registered 3,329 complaints against beachgoers who disturbed or offended others by taking pictures or swimming in their underwear in the first four months of this year. Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Mazyoud, Director of Ports Police, said families living in Jumeirah and near other open beaches complained that contracting companies brought workers by bus to the beaches during their lunch break and left them there, which was disturbing women and children in these areas. Police noticed that many workers took their clothes off and were swimming wearing only their underwear, which is a violation of public decency. "Beach patrols also noticed that some of these workers violate the privacy of women by taking pictures, especially of women in bathing suits, and some of them harass women," he said, adding that 114 people were caught taking pictures of other beachgoers and made to write an undertaking not to repeat the offence. In one of the cases, Lt Col Al Mazyoud said he personally noticed an Arab resident who was swimming in his underwear and asked him to write an undertaking. "People from all over the world come to Dubai to enjoy the sunshine and sandy beaches, and we must ensure that tourists as well as residents are not disturbed by intruders," he said. Police also contacted the managers of the companies and informed them about the consequences of their acts. They were told not to take workers to the beach during lunch break and to advise them to go during their day off and in proper beach attire. Bus drivers were also instructed not to take workers to the beach in their work clothes. In the first four months of this year, police stopped 2,837 people who were fully dressed on the beach, 259 who were in their underwear, 119 who were disturbing other beachgoers, other than the 114 who were caught taking pictures. All of them had to write an undertaking not to repeat the offence. Last year, 6,059 people were caught fully dressed, 734 in their underwear, 295 were disturbing others and 224 were taking pictures, while three were caught harassing women, he said.