Crimes down 4.7% in first half of 2011
Posted: 22 August 2011 1302 hrs
SINGAPORE: The number of reported crimes fell by 4.7 per cent in the first six months of the year to 15,729 cases.
Releasing the mid-year update on crime statistics, the police said significant improvements were seen in housebreaking and related crimes, violent property crimes and theft.
The number of unlicensed moneylending and harassment cases fell 23 per cent.
But the number caught for such cases increased nine per cent due to enforcement efforts. Police also noted that more youths were caught for their involvement in such activities.
Crimes against the elderly saw a 15 per cent fall, and thefts from shops fell 17 per cent.
Statutory rape involving female minors under 14 years of age who had consensual sex also continued to drop.
Police said although overall crime has fallen, one area of concern is the resurgence of various types of cheating phone scams.
While there is a drop in the number of successful 'lottery phone scam' cases from 88 to 81, the amount of money lost by victims increased from S$1.9 million in the first half of 2010 to S$2.5 million in the first half of 2011.
Director of Operations, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Lim Kok Thai said: "Tricksters will continue employing just about any methods they can conceive with only one purpose in mind: to infuse fear or greed into their victims so they would unwittingly part with their monies.
"Some try to deceive victims into divulging their personal details such as credit or debit card details.
"We must therefore always be one-step ahead in anticipating the possible guises which they may adopt and at the same time be constantly alert when receiving calls bearing similar, suspicious circumstances from unknown persons. If unsure, always call the police immediately."
The other area of concern is Outrage of Modesty cases. There were 707 such cases reported in the first half of 2011, an increase of 60 cases or 9 per cent from the same period last year.
Police said the victims do not know their culprits in the majority of these cases, which are mostly committed at common areas of HDB blocks and at crowded areas.
With the resurgence of various phone scams, the National Crime Prevention Council is warning the public to be alert to the various scams.
These include lottery phone scams, impersonation of government officials and pretending that a loved one is kidnapped.
The council has some advice on how to handle a kidnap scam. Tan Pang Yong, manager of the National Crime Prevention Council, said: "When you receive a kidnap phone scam, remember the first thing to do is to remain calm and call your loved ones immediately to ensure that they are safe.
"Finally, you have to call the police at 999 immediately to report the case."
- CNA/ls/al
