Dubai Police made a late-night call to a mother to confirm the whereabouts and safety of her 17-year-old daughter, who was staying at a hotel in Dubai with friends for a birthday event.

The call came from the Tourism Police Department at around 1am. The officer reassured the mother that her daughter was safe and explained that the group at the hotel consisted mostly of 18-year-olds, with her daughter being the only minor. The police wanted to verify directly with the mother that she was aware of and had approved her daughter's stay.

Yasmin Zeido, the mother and a broadcaster at Al Arabiya 99FM, recalled her initial concern upon receiving the unexpected call. She expressed appreciation for the police's precautionary approach, stating, "I really appreciated that they took the time to call me at that hour and make sure I knew where my daughter was. It made me feel that they were genuinely looking out for her."

The officer explained that teenagers sometimes mislead parents about their whereabouts, such as claiming to stay with friends while actually being in hotels. This prompted the police to confirm parental awareness to ensure minors' safety.

When Zeido asked if she could mention the officer's name when sharing her experience, he declined, emphasizing that the department operates collectively to protect children and teenagers across the UAE.

Expressing gratitude, Zeido said, "I don’t have to worry about my daughter in a country like this. Truly, thank you so much, Dubai Police. Thank you so much, Tourism Police."

Earlier in July, authorities advised travelers with children to familiarize themselves with child-safety regulations at their destinations. The Child and Women Protection Department at Dubai Police’s General Department of Human Rights highlighted that safeguarding children is both a legal and moral responsibility, whether at home or abroad.

Officials recommended that parents maintain open communication with their children, supervise them in crowded places, and take appropriate safety measures. Dubai Police also warned that leaving minors unattended in hotels, holiday rentals, or public areas may lead to legal consequences in some countries.