If you get arrested in central Dubai this week, a smiling face will be waiting for you at the police station.

As in an enormous yellow emoji grinning with delight and wearing a Dubai police hat at a jaunty angle.

The huge smiley face has been painted on the ceiling of the Muraqqabat Police Station in Dubai and soon similar faces will be appearing atop police stations across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Dubai police, who last year arrested a British rape victim on charges of “extramarital sex”, say they hope the smiley face will brighten the day of all those who pass through their stations.