DUBAI – Two hundred and eighty-nine people were caught taking pictures ofwomen without their knowledge on Dubai’s beaches, according to police onMonday, *Gulf Newslink>*reported.

Police caught a total of 1,725 people for committing various offences onbeaches last year, with infractions ranging from taking pictures of women,disturbing beach users to swimming in an underwear.

With 256 people apprehended for swimming in their underwear in 2017.

“It is illegal to take pictures of women on the beaches without theirknowledge. Our aim is to make beachgoers feel comfortable and protectedfrom offenders as tourists visiting Dubai’s beaches grow,” a governmentspokesperson said.

The ports police station patrol marine transportation and public beaches —Jumeirah Open Beach, Umm Suqeim Beach, JBR and Al Mamzar Beach Park.

There were 14 deaths and four injuries on Dubai beaches last year, downfrom 29 deaths and six injuries in 2016.