DUBAI // Motorcycle gangs are taking advantage of the Holy Month to cause havoc on the emirate's roads by harassing women, taking part in illegal races and clashing violently with police.
Dozens of young men have been arrested and 44 motorbikes seized by officers since the beginning of Ramadan following incidents that have included knife fights with police officers. The traffic department says such incidents have become 70 per cent more frequent than in any other month.
"The fact that Ramadan has coincided with the summer holidays has aggravated the problem. Some youngsters are sleeping throughout the day and are up all night and think it is acceptable to preoccupy themselves with such practices," said Colonel Saif Al Mazroui, the acting director of Dubai Police's traffic department.
Police say the gangs take to the streets at night to harass other motorists - particularly woman, as well as to indulge in showboating that includes driving against the flow of traffic and taking part in illegal races. Much of the reckless driving is done in full view of officers in an effort to provoke them into a chase.
The hot spots for the gangs' activities are Al Quoz, Al Waraqa, Al Khwaneej, Al Mizher and Al Mamzar, according to Dubai Police, which has set up an undercover task force called Isnad ('support') to clampdown on reckless driving.
The task force is concerned with drivers of all vehicles, but Col Al Mazroui said it was focusing during the Holy Month on "youngsters" driving motorcycles without licences as well as those who take their quad bikes on to the streets - which is illegal.
Last week officers arrested a number of gang members who belonged to a group lead by a young Emirati known as "The Ghost". The group had been harassing other motorists, particularly women, with their reckless driving and had been known to circle police patrols to provoke a chase.
The group mainly operate in Al Mamzar, but are sometimes encountered in other areas of Bur Dubai. The exact number of gang members arrested was not revealed, but officers said the majority of their bikes had been arrested.
Officers caught the group after learning the location and time of a planned meeting in Al Mamzar.
"A special team was monitoring the group and as they left Al Mamzar heading towards Al Khaleej road, 'The Ghost' leader tried to hit an undercover patrol after realising it was the police," said Col Al Mazroui. "They went back to Al Mamzar thinking they had managed to escape but they were closely followed."
The leader escaped but police were able to confiscate the motorcycle he left behind. Police say they know the identity of 'The Ghost' and believe he has shifted his activity to another emirate.
On July 31 another young man, identified only as RS, attacked three police officers in Al Qusais after his quad bike was confiscated.
"He went up to the police and he tried to provoke them and shortly after he went home and came back with a knife and threatened to attack the police officers," said Col Al Mazroui.
"He also threatened to take out the dogs from his house to attack the officers," he added.
The owner of the quad bike managed to escape but was later arrested.
wissa@thenational.ae
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Top tips
Create and maintain a strong bond between yourself and your child, through sensitivity, responsiveness, touch, talk and play. “The bond you have with your kids is the blueprint for the relationships they will have later on in life,” says Dr Sarah Rasmi, a psychologist.
Set a good example. Practise what you preach, so if you want to raise kind children, they need to see you being kind and hear you explaining to them what kindness is. So, “narrate your behaviour”.
Praise the positive rather than focusing on the negative. Catch them when they’re being good and acknowledge it.
Show empathy towards your child’s needs as well as your own. Take care of yourself so that you can be calm, loving and respectful, rather than angry and frustrated.
Be open to communication, goal-setting and problem-solving, says Dr Thoraiya Kanafani. “It is important to recognise that there is a fine line between positive parenting and becoming parents who overanalyse their children and provide more emotional context than what is in the child’s emotional development to understand.”
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
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Published by Liveright
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
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Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
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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