Police in Sharjah have increased the number of CCTV cameras in the emirate to fight crime more efficiently.
The force said more than 21,540 have been added to the network since September, bringing the total to 65,799.
The aim is to have 100 per cent of Sharjah covered by the network, an increase from the current 85 per cent.
Initially, only 500 security cameras were installed to ensure public safety and catch criminals.
“The current number of cameras represents about 85 per cent of the end result of the project, which is to have 100 per cent of the emirate monitored by surveillance cameras,” said Col Nasser bin Afsan, director of Sharjah Police’s electronic services and communications department.
Speaking at an annual press event, he said the cameras were connected directly to the police operations room, allowing law enforcement to monitor and respond to incidents in real time.
This has led to a significant improvement in the police's ability to maintain public safety and security in the city, he added.
Safety first
Sharjah's commitment to safety has been recognised, with the city named as one of the 10 safest in the world in a report this year by numbeo.com.
“This is not only about enhancing the security of Sharjah, but also about promoting a sense of safety and well-being among our citizens and visitors,” said the colonel.
“We are committed to being a world-class city that provides the highest level of security and peace of mind for everyone.”
The force has introduced other initiatives to ensure the well-being of its residents.
A one-month 50 per cent discount on various types of traffic fines was recently announced to promote road safety and compliance with traffic regulations.
More than 75 per cent of debt-laden drivers have cleared their unpaid fines in the first two weeks of the scheme.
Running from March 1 to 30, the discount was implemented after the emirate's executive council decided to introduce permanent discounts of 35 and 25 per cent on traffic fines.
“Offering permanent discounts was made after conducting multiple studies, surveys and comparisons,” said Lt Col Mohammed Allay, director of Sharjah Police's traffic and patrolling department.
“People often waited for discounts announced on special occasions to pay off their fines.”
He said more than a million traffic fines were issued to lawbreaking motorists in 2022.
“The recent scheme has proved successful, with over 230,000 car owners renewing their vehicles licences after taking advantage of the discount and paying off their fines,” he said.
Lt Col Allay emphasised that the intention was to stop reoffending.
“This initiative has not only helped drivers clear their debts but also motivated them to be more responsible and law-abiding on the roads.”
Early payment discounts
While Sharjah Police's discount scheme ends on March 31, the year-round discount campaign by the emirate's executive council offers a 35 per cent reduction on fines paid within 60 days from the date the traffic violation was issued.
If not paid in two months the discount is decreased to 25 per cent. That is applicable throughout the following 10 months.
Serious traffic offences such as jumping red lights, driving in a way that endangers lives, exceeding the speed limit by more than 80 kph and carrying out unlicensed modifications to vehicles are not included in the scheme.
Lt Col Allay said 82 speed cameras have been installed in the past three years.
“The radars are part of the force's ongoing efforts to enhance road safety and ultimately leading to fewer accidents, injuries, and fatalities on Sharjah's roads,” he said.
These are additional to 20 smart radars, which can detect more offences such as texting while driving, situated across Sharjah.
“The cutting-edge devices are designed to detect multiple traffic offences simultaneously, including speeding, illegal lane changes, and using mobile phones while driving,” said Lt Col Allay.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
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Want to sound on message about the biggest show on television without actually watching it? Best not to get locked into the labyrinthine tales of revenge and royalty: as Isaac Hempstead Wright put it, all you really need to know from now on is that there’s going to be a huge fight between humans and the armies of undead White Walkers.
The season ended with a dragon captured by the Night King blowing apart the huge wall of ice that separates the human world from its less appealing counterpart. Not that some of the humans in Westeros have been particularly appealing, either.
Anyway, the White Walkers are now free to cause any kind of havoc they wish, and as Liam Cunningham told us: “Westeros may be zombie land after the Night King has finished.” If the various human factions don’t put aside their differences in season 8, we could be looking at The Walking Dead: The Medieval Years.
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England 241-3 (20 ovs)
Malan 130 no, Morgan 91
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Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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