Dubai Police's community sports drive against crime returns

Dubai - The Dubai Police recently launched this year's edition of the community-based sports initiative 'Positive Soul' at Al Maktoum Stadium, the home ground of Al Nasr SC.

A sports initiative in Dubai that has brought down crimes by up to 28 per cent in 2019 is set to return for its fourth year, the police have announced on Monday.

The Dubai Police recently launched this year's edition of the community-based sports initiative 'Positive Soul' at Al Maktoum Stadium, the home ground of Al Nasr SC. It coincided with the first match of the UAE Arabian Gulf League.

Fatima Buhjair, head of the community-based initiatives at the Department of Community Police, said Positive Soul seeks to engage the community, especially the youth, and promote positive behaviour. "This is done through sports events and programmes that will build their personality. Awareness, cultural, training and volunteering programmes will be held in line with stringent measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19."

Last year, the initiative was able to reach 19,721 residents and slash crimes and negative incidents by 28.13 per cent across targeted zones in Dubai, Buhjair said.

"During the Year of Tolerance, the initiative carried out 41 sports events and delivered 77 awareness lectures to reinforce the values of tolerance, coexistence, and dialogue among members of society," she added.

Boosting safety, happiness

Brigadier Khalid Ali Shhail, director of the General Department of Community Happiness at Dubai Police, said Positive Soul is also aimed at raising the sense of safety and security among community members.

"We are keen on boosting the concept of community policing. Therefore, we are organising this initiative that will surely... support (the Dubai Police's) objectives and strategic vision of spreading positive spirit and happiness across the community," he said.

When the Dubai Police polled Positive Soul participants last year, they recorded a 95.9 per cent happiness rate. They also noted a 94.5 per cent satisfaction among the initiative's partners, Buhjair said.

Positive Soul is being organised within the framework of the 'Hamdan Bin Mohammed Initiative for Community Sports'. Besides the Dubai Police, among the entities that have been working together for the project are Al Ameen Service, Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Health Authority, Community Development Authority, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai