UAE police ramp up presence during Eid

The police across the UAE will be stepping up their presence on roads and streets during the Eid Al Adha holiday period.

In Dubai, there will be 500 civil and military patrols across various areas, ensuring safety and security. The Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation Brigadier Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri said, 365 military patrols will tour Dubai roads for 24 hours, while an additional 119 will be stationed at the beaches, along with two maritime patrols and six horse patrols.

He urged people who would be travelling during the Eid holidays to join home safety programmes in order to prevent theft in their houses when they are away. Other safety precautions people could include avoiding leaving cars with the engines running while they are not in it, not carrying around large sums of money, and swimming at only those beaches where lifeguards are stationed.

The General Department of Traffic of the Dubai Police will also intensify and distribute patrols to reduce congestion and traffic jams that result from increased traffic.

Director of the The General Department of Traffic Major-General Mohammed Saif Al Zafin said, traffic cops will be on a lookout for drivers who drove recklessly, raced their cars, obstructed traffic, or committed other risky traffic violations.

Police would deploy extra patrols in Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, Sheikh Zayed Road, Bypass Road, Al Khail Road, Jebel Ali, Deira, and Naif.

A number of sergeants and traffic controllers would be distributed in markets, shopping malls and Eid ‘Musslahs’, to manage the Eid rush, he said.

Meanwhile security has also been ramped up in the Western region of Abu Dhabi, with many extra visitors expected from both inside and outside the country. Director of the Western Region Police Ajil Ali Abdullah said.

Measures, such as setting up a mobile garage on the freeway to repair cars if they break down on the way and increasing highway patrols, would be undertaken.

The directorate has also taken steps to ensure the smooth flow of traffic ahead of the return of pilgrims across the UAE borders, he said.

In a more light-hearted example of heightened police presence, Dubai will be introducing a new horse patrol during Eid, which will continue for four months as part of the security initiatives being rolled out ahead of the busy festive season.

Launched in 1967, the Dubai Police’s horse patrols have managed large crowds during earlier events, though this is the first time there will be mounted patrols in downtown Dubai.

Dubai Police have set up a toll-free number: 800243 to receive complaints and enquiries during the Eid period.

amira@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE