Control of Vice at Lorong 24 Geylang

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) if he can provide an update on the management of the vice situation at Lorong 24 of Geylang and its vicinity; and (b) what is the medium- to long-term plan for the control of vice in this area.

Mr Teo Chee Hean: Since the reply to the Member's previous question in Parliament on 21 November 2011, Police have continued to work closely with the grassroots, other Government agencies and various stakeholders to reduce streetwalking, and other illegal activities along Lorong 24 Geylang and its vicinity.

In the first six months of 2012, Police conducted 125 operations involving the arrest of 391 streetwalkers and two persons assisting in vice operations. In July 2012, Police arrested another 32 female streetwalkers in the vicinity of Lorong 24 Geylang during a single anti-vice operation. In addition, Police have supported other Government agencies, such as the Ministry of Manpower, the National Environment Agency, the Urban Redevelopment Authority and Singapore Customs in their operations to curb illegal lodging houses, illegal hawking and other regulatory offences. During this time, the crime situation has remained stable.

We will continue with enforcement actions to keep streetwalking and other disamenities under control, and ensure that lawless characters do not use the crowd as a cover for criminal activity.

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