Dubai outlaws cross-dressing

London, July 19 : Dubai has issued a ban on cross-dressing in public places following dozens complaints of "transvestite tourists" in the city's shopping centres.

According to the Gulf News, police officials in Dubai have detained 40 "cross-dressing tourists" in the past week.

Police has even complained that transvestites are frequently being spotted.

"This is against the UAE's traditions and social values," Telegraph quoted General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, as saying.

Khalfan Tamim added that action would be taken against any man or woman who behaved like the opposite gender in public.

The rulers of Dubai, which is part of the United Arab Emirates, have invested heavily in attracting foreign tourists and overseas investment as it moves away from an oil-led economy.

The move against tranvesticism comes after a British couple was arrested for allegedly having sex on a public beach.

Since then undercover police have been patrolling beaches to crack down on nudity and other forms of indecent behaviour, with a reported 80 people being detained in recent days.

ANI