Police in Ajman said a three-year operation to install 120,000 surveillance cameras across the emirate has helped drive down crime rates.
CCTV cameras have been fitted at more than 3,000 buildings, including residential apartment blocks, shops and hotels.
The For Your Protection initiative was rolled out in 2017 on the directive of Ajman’s executive council to help bolster community safety.
“Since the project’s launch, Ajman Police has intensified surveys and field visits to follow up on the installation of cameras in residential buildings, shops, hotels and other different types of establishments,” said Lt Col Mohammed bin Yafour Al Ghafli, deputy head of Ajman police’s CID.
“The project has greatly contributed to a huge drop in the numbers of thefts and serious crimes.”
Launched by police, the initiative was carried out with support from specialist companies to ensure the cameras were placed in the optimal locations.
Cameras were installed in old and new buildings, and in all venues where events are held, following meetings with their owners.
In April, restaurants and bakeries in Ajman were ordered to install CCTV cameras in kitchens after a bakery worker was caught spitting into bread dough.
The employee was arrested when officials received a video of the incident from a disgruntled customer.
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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7pm: Flood Zone
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As You Were
Liam Gallagher
(Warner Bros)
Series result
1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets
2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets
3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets
4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets
5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets
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Remaining Fixtures
Wednesday: West Indies v Scotland
Thursday: UAE v Zimbabwe
Friday: Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday: Final
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
