BICYCLE THEFTS

BICYCLE THEFTS: * * *

31.

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many bicycle thefts have been reported each year over the last five years; and (b) what action has been taken to prevent the thefts, especially at MRT stations and HDB void decks.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Over the last five years, an average of 590 cases of bicycle theft were reported each year, with a peak of 790 cases in 2005 and a low of 580 cases last year. For the first two months this year, there were about 80 cases of bicycle theft reported, which is the lowest number when compared to the corresponding periods from 2005 to 2007. Bicycle thefts have been on a downward trend since 2005.

Bicycle thefts typically take place at common areas in public housing estates such as void decks, corridors, staircase landings, lift landings as well as at bicycle bays located at MRT and LRT stations. In most bicycle theft cases, the culprits tampered with the bicycle chains or locks used to secure the bicycles. There were also cases where opportunistic perpetrators took off with bicycles that were left unattended or unsecured.

Police has been working with Town Councils to install CCTV cameras at HDB common areas in phases, for crime prevention and to improve the sense of security of residents. We have also worked with HDB to incorporate a security and crime prevention package in the list of upgrading options available for residents' selection under the HDB Upgrading Programme. HDB residents now have the choice to opt to have CCTVs at their neighbourhood as part of their selection of upgrading features. I encourage residents to opt for this package.

In addition, Police has been providing free bicycle engraving services since 2005 at selected Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPCs) where there are a higher concentration of bicycle user population. Engraving of unique serial ID numbers onto bicycles has proven to be an effective crime deterrent measure and has led to the recovery of stolen bicycles which were engraved. For example, bicycle thefts around Pasir Ris dropped significantly from 34 reported cases in 2005 to just eight and seven reported cases in 2006 and 2007

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respectively since the implementation of the bicycle engraving scheme by Pasir Ris NPC. Over at Toa Payoh East, the engraving and registration initiative implemented by Toa Payoh NPC resulted in a 50% fall in bicycle theft cases from 42 cases in 2006 to 21 cases in 2007.

Bicycle thefts are often opportunistic crimes which can be prevented if bicycle owners are more vigilant. Bicycle owners should take preventive measures such as using strong and reliable locks to secure their bicycles and also not leave their bicycles in isolated or poorly lit places.

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