In the latest – and definitely a unique one at that – move to curb crime and help police penetrate narrow alleys and paths in double quick time, Naif Police Station has formed a three-member special security team.

The 'Naif Panthers,' as they would be called will be on the prowl in various areas, particularly the commercial zones, under the jurisdiction of the police station.

Clad in T-shirts with the Dubai Police logo emblazoned across, these cops will help monitor the crime situation in the area and reach crime sites which are not accessible to police patrol cars like narrow alleys and paths, Major Khalid Khalfan Al Mansouri, Acting Director of Naif Police Station, said, adding that they would carry their identity cards but would otherwise be dressed in casuals.

He said the team's formation was in response to the directions of Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police and Brigadier Dr Jamal Mohammed Al Marri, Deputy Commander-in-Chief to generate ideas which would promote closer field control besides optimum utilisation of human resources and skills for the welfare of the public.

Stating that the cops on roller-skates would enjoy the advantage of reaching inaccessible crime spots, Major Al Mansouri said these cops would also have the ability to prevent any surprise elements that criminals may have up their sleeves on spotting a police patrol car.

The Naif Panthers team was initiated after the success of the motorbike police patrols. The team will support the motorbike patrols and will enable more focused presence of security police in the area, he said.

The members of the team went through extensive training on roller-skates, and if the Naif initiative succeeds, the idea would be replicated in other police stations too, particularly those covering commercial areas and souqs, he said.