Crackdown on human traffickers brings down crime in Sharjah

Sharjah - The number of human trafficking crimes has decreased due to intensified efforts by police authorities.

The Sharjah Police rescued as many as 35 people, including 14 people of determination, who were smuggled into the country for begging during the holy month of Ramadan in 2018 and 2019.
"A number of Asian gangs were involved in human trafficking and have been referred to the public prosecution," said Col Ibrahim Al Ajill, director of criminal investigation department (CID) at the Sharjah Police. He added that most of the trafficking victims belong to other countries, who are brought here and forced into begging.
The number of human trafficking crimes has decreased due to intensified efforts by police authorities and department during the last two years. The police authorities have managed to arrest a large number of gangs and criminals involved in the practice. They have urged the public to report any human smuggling activity to prevent such crimes and ensure safety of the community members.
The police officials comply with the Ministry of Interior guidelines to combat human trafficking. These guidelines include promoting anti-human trafficking culture and awareness, cooperating with Interpol through exchange of information on such crimes, monitoring suspects, and using unified criminal justice and Interpol systems to verify individuals at entry points.
The police authorities are working closely with National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking (NCCHT), which was established in 2007. The police have intensified awareness campaign through social media and traditional media to educate the public about such crimes and report any type of human trafficking cases to police stations and departments concerned.
Col Ajill said the CID, in coordination with residential patrols, has stepped up crackdown on the illegal phenomenon in residential areas and also intensified awareness about anti-human trafficking campaign. The Sharjah Police are making efforts to rescue victims of human trafficking by referring them to the Sharjah Women's Protection Centre, which is affiliated to the Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD).
Top priority
An Ajman Police official said that monitoring and prevention of human trafficking cases have been a top priority. The police have conducted a number of awareness campaigns and continue its crackdown on various human trafficking activities in the emirate. The police have urged the public to report any suspected activities of human smuggling to ensure safety of residents.
A top official at the Fujairah Police said that the department is currently carrying out anti-trafficking awareness campaigns through various means of social media, and other media channels as well as SMS.
Police have also intensified inspection and investigation targeting human traffickers in the emirate to arrest them and refer them to the public prosecution. "We urge the public to report any human trafficking crime they encounter," he pointed out.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Sharjah