UAE Ministry has a stab at knives

The Ministry of Interior said it has seen a worrying rise in knife crime among teenagers in the UAE.

Although it released no figures, it said there had been an increase in the number of cases involving teens attacking each other with knives and swords in fights at shopping malls and in residential areas.

Dr Salah Al Ghul, Director of the Cultural Office at the ministry, said: “Such acts could lead to young people killing each other or hurting themselves.”

He added that the authorities would not tolerate such behaviour.

Al Ghul said there were laws in place prohibiting youths from carrying knives and swords but that some youngsters were ignoring these and attacking others with sharp weapons.

“Most of the fights result from teenagers having arguments,” he said.

“Some of them stubbornly carry sharp weapons and pull them out and attack others during the brawls.”

Al Ghul urged parents to keep an eye on their children and talk to them about violent crime.

Last week, police arrested a group of Emirati boys who allegedly attacked another child with a sword in Al Ain.

The boys got into a fight in the street after an argument. The victim was treated in hospital for his wounds.

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