Changing times, rising crimes
According to a survey of 2,000 Dubai residents, 87 per cent feel that petty crime is on the rise.
In the “olden” days – ie the 1970s, 1980s and even early 1990s – expats recall how they never even needed to lock their front doors. Even today, few people chain their TVs to the wall, or use steering wheel locks, or invest in household theft insurance.
But things are changing: partly due to the increased population, and massively increased tourism. There are pickpocketing gangs operating in the souqs. Burglaries in leafy Jumeirah. Mobile phones snatched from people in the street.
Dubai is definitely a safer, less crime-ridden city than London, New York or Paris. But it is no longer the City of Unlocked Doors.
What about rape?
There are many cases, reported in media and the ones, which never get reported.
The worst thing is that there is no severe punishment for crimes like these, any rappist can get away with two to three year term, which is not fair at all.
Its sad. I was born there, and grew up there…and i remember the freedom….
but chaining TVs…thats waayy bad…
Id say dubai is still a lot more safer than Karachi. And trust me, Karachi is still safer than New York, London, Paris & Johanesburg!
i remember those days of crime free-dom .. it wasn’t even that long ago =(