Doha - People found begging in public places could face imprisonment for up to one year. A new law is being drafted to bring beggars to book.

The Ministry of Interior has set up a special cell under its Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to crack down on beggars during the Holy month of Ramadan. The cell will continue its campaign throughout the year, Colonel Ali Mohammed Al Nuaimi, assistant director of CID, said in a press statement yesterday.

“Begging is a crime under the Qatari law and those who are engaging in it will face punishment. A new law is being drafted which stipulates imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year for those who are found begging in public places,” Al Nuaimi said.

He has urged people not to take the matter lightly and inform the law- enforcement authorities whenever they notice any person begging. He has also urged the public not to give alms to beggars since it would encourage the practice.

People seeking financial assistance should be directed to those legal bodies which have been authorised by the government to conduct charitable activities.

As part of the new campaign, the Ministry will conduct intensive patrolling day and night to book the beggars. The number of patrolling teams will be raised to four from the existing two. They will operate in two shifts — from 9am to 3pm and from 5pm until midnight.

The Ministry has also set up two hotlines to gather information from the public about the presence of beggars in any part of the country. The hotline numbers are: 4823455 and 4714222. People can also call 999.

When the department receives a phone call, it would ask the nearest available patrolling team to follow up and book or chase the beggar. If no patrolling team is immediately available a special team will be assigned for the task.

Al Nuaimi, however, noted that begging was not widespread in Qatar. Over the past six months, the department has arrested 132 beggars from various locations. A total of 111 beggars were taken into custody during Ramadan last year, he said.