Police in Sharjah have increased the number of CCTV cameras in the emirate to fight crime more efficiently.
The force said more than 21,540 have been added to the network since September, bringing the total to 65,799.
The aim is to have 100 per cent of Sharjah covered by the network, an increase from the current 85 per cent.
Initially, only 500 security cameras were installed to ensure public safety and catch criminals.
“The current number of cameras represents about 85 per cent of the end result of the project, which is to have 100 per cent of the emirate monitored by surveillance cameras,” said Col Nasser bin Afsan, director of Sharjah Police’s electronic services and communications department.
Speaking at an annual press event, he said the cameras were connected directly to the police operations room, allowing law enforcement to monitor and respond to incidents in real time.
This has led to a significant improvement in the police's ability to maintain public safety and security in the city, he added.
Safety first
Sharjah's commitment to safety has been recognised, with the city named as one of the 10 safest in the world in a report this year by numbeo.com.
“This is not only about enhancing the security of Sharjah, but also about promoting a sense of safety and well-being among our citizens and visitors,” said the colonel.
“We are committed to being a world-class city that provides the highest level of security and peace of mind for everyone.”
The force has introduced other initiatives to ensure the well-being of its residents.
A one-month 50 per cent discount on various types of traffic fines was recently announced to promote road safety and compliance with traffic regulations.
More than 75 per cent of debt-laden drivers have cleared their unpaid fines in the first two weeks of the scheme.
Running from March 1 to 30, the discount was implemented after the emirate's executive council decided to introduce permanent discounts of 35 and 25 per cent on traffic fines.
“Offering permanent discounts was made after conducting multiple studies, surveys and comparisons,” said Lt Col Mohammed Allay, director of Sharjah Police's traffic and patrolling department.
“People often waited for discounts announced on special occasions to pay off their fines.”
He said more than a million traffic fines were issued to lawbreaking motorists in 2022.
“The recent scheme has proved successful, with over 230,000 car owners renewing their vehicles licences after taking advantage of the discount and paying off their fines,” he said.
Lt Col Allay emphasised that the intention was to stop reoffending.
“This initiative has not only helped drivers clear their debts but also motivated them to be more responsible and law-abiding on the roads.”
Early payment discounts
While Sharjah Police's discount scheme ends on March 31, the year-round discount campaign by the emirate's executive council offers a 35 per cent reduction on fines paid within 60 days from the date the traffic violation was issued.
If not paid in two months the discount is decreased to 25 per cent. That is applicable throughout the following 10 months.
Serious traffic offences such as jumping red lights, driving in a way that endangers lives, exceeding the speed limit by more than 80 kph and carrying out unlicensed modifications to vehicles are not included in the scheme.
Lt Col Allay said 82 speed cameras have been installed in the past three years.
“The radars are part of the force's ongoing efforts to enhance road safety and ultimately leading to fewer accidents, injuries, and fatalities on Sharjah's roads,” he said.
These are additional to 20 smart radars, which can detect more offences such as texting while driving, situated across Sharjah.
“The cutting-edge devices are designed to detect multiple traffic offences simultaneously, including speeding, illegal lane changes, and using mobile phones while driving,” said Lt Col Allay.
Sharjah Light Festival: in pictures
'O'
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The lowdown
Badla
Rating: 2.5/5
Produced by: Red Chillies, Azure Entertainment
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh, Tony Luke
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,600hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.4seconds
0-200kph in 5.8 seconds
0-300kph in 12.1 seconds
Top speed: 440kph
Price: Dh13,200,000
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,500hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.3 seconds
0-200kph in 5.5 seconds
0-300kph in 11.8 seconds
Top speed: 350kph
Price: Dh13,600,000
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
FIGHT%20CARD
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Credits
Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana
Star rating: 2.5/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
Company%20profile
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
