Crimes involving youths on decline
By Sara Grosse
POSTED: 09 Jun 2013 3:44 AM
SINGAPORE: Police say crimes involving youths 19 years old and below have been on the decline over the past four years.
There were 584 crime cases involving youths between January and March this year, down from 935 in the same period last year.
A total of 3,320 youths were arrested in 2012, compared to 4,271 in 2009.
While this is a promising trend, police say vigilance is still needed.
Delta League Organising Committee Chairperson Deputy Superintendent of Police Justin Wong said: “The police still wants to continue working with the community partners and youth to keep crime rate low because every youth that we keep away from crime is one more youth who will not have a stain of a criminal record against him.”
In conjunction with the Great Singapore Sale (GSS), some 800 youths hit Orchard Road on Saturday to spread the anti-shoplifting message of "Shop, Don't Steal".
The campaign is part of the Singapore Police Force's Delta League youth engagement programme.
Besides handing out crime prevention messages, youth ambassadors also carried out a survey to help shoppers better understand the common crimes that could occur during the GSS, and the ways to prevent them.
They also asked the public to sign a pledge to do their part in keeping their personal belongings safe.
- CNA/jc
