One of the main reasons why more and more people move to Dubai is the high level of safety. Compared directly with many large European cities in particular, Dubai is markedly safer — not only in the figures but also in how safe it feels.
But how safe is Dubai really in everyday life? Can you actually reserve a sun lounger with your luxury watch, or leave your MacBook in the coffee shop while you step outside to take a call? This article looks at the facts on safety and crime in Dubai.
- According to the Numbeo Crime Index, Dubai ranks 4th among the safest cities in the world — five of the top 10 are in the UAE.
- Strict laws punish even minor offences such as insults; for more serious offences, deportation and loss of the visa are possible.
- The clearance rate is close to 90% — the country is highly digitalised and its borders are tightly controlled.
- Lost items such as phones, wallets and keys usually turn up again.
- Dubai is considered extremely safe for women and children, including when out alone at night.
How high is crime in Dubai?
In terms of crime, Dubai — together with Abu Dhabi and other cities in the Emirates — is one of the safest cities in the world. Current statistics show this very clearly: according to the Numbeo Crime Index, Dubai is in 4th place among the safest cities worldwide.
As the chart shows, it is not only Dubai that ranks among the safest cities in the world — the United Arab Emirates as a whole perform particularly well. After all, half of the top 10 are in the UAE.
Why is Dubai so safe?
There are several reasons why Dubai is such a safe city — and why it also feels very safe here.
- Strict laws — Even minor offences such as insults or hand gestures are punished severely; verbal or written insults by email or WhatsApp can already lead to charges. For more serious offences, deportation and loss of the visa are possible.
- Police presence — The police respond exceptionally quickly and enjoy high standing. Respect is a basic requirement; insults or aggressive behaviour lead to immediate arrest.
- Clearance rate — The country is highly digitalised and monitored, and offences are solved quickly. The clearance rate currently stands at close to 90 %.
- Controlled borders — Escaping across the borders is virtually impossible: land and air routes are tightly controlled, as is the border with Oman as a fellow GCC state.
In the worst case, sentences extend to long prison terms. More serious offences lead to deportation — which, for many who work and live here, threatens their livelihood.
Reviews
In our own experience, Dubai is extremely safe as far as crime is concerned. Over the past few years we have seen numerous cases where things were left behind and returned the same or the next day. Classic cases such as phones, wallets and keys usually turn up again.
Attacks such as violence, robbery or burglary occur almost never — we have not personally encountered a single such case. The only drawback: anyone who lives in Dubai for a long time gets used to the safety and becomes careless as soon as they travel back to Europe or other parts of the world.
Frequently asked questions
Below is an overview of frequently asked questions about safety and crime in Dubai.
How safe is Dubai for women?
Dubai is extremely safe for women and children. Assaults on women are exceedingly rare and are punished severely. In practice, women will not run into problems in Dubai, even when out alone at night. You should merely avoid certain districts such as Deira or Karama if you want to be entirely on the safe side.
Can you leave your MacBook in a café?
You should not push your luck, but as a rule there is no problem in leaving your MacBook in a café to take a call outside, for example.
Can I leave my Rolex on my beach towel?
On tourist beaches — especially those of beach clubs — this is generally not a problem. In remote and public areas, however, you should not do it.
Summary
In terms of crime, Dubai is a decidedly safe city and, globally, one of the safest for tourists and expats. Current statistics confirm this and show that safety is ensured through strict laws, heavy penalties and the competence of the police.
The social-media experiments in which luxury items are deliberately “forgotten” in public places can be believed too — things are rarely stolen in Dubai. More on everyday life can be found in the article Living in Dubai.
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