Thefts at Clarke Quay on the rise, police warn
Landlords beef up security as number of cases goes up from three to five a month
Published on May 05, 2013
Police say thefts usually occur in the early morning when nightspots are closing. Clarke Quay's Read Bridge (above) is one vulnerable area. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
By Lim Yan Liang
While it is party central for many, Clarke Quay is also becoming a target for crime.
The arrest of six men at the popular entertainment area in a single Sunday night two weeks ago for separate offences brought the total tally to 18 people arrested for theft and similar offences in the area so far this year.
Police said there has been an increase in thefts at Clarke Quay in recent years, from an average of three cases a month in 2011 to five cases a month now.
"On most occasions, the victims had fallen asleep in open areas after consuming an excessive amount of alcohol and were targeted," said a police spokesman, adding that these crimes targeting valuables such as wallets and cellphones usually occurred in the early morning when nightspots were closing, and usually at dimly lit areas and open spaces.
BACKGROUND STORY
Targeting the drunk
Perpetrators operate individually or in groups of up to four. The victims were not of any specific profile - other than being drunk - and those arrested so far have all been Singaporean.
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