NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME (Implementation)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what progress has been made in the implementation of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme; (b) how many constituencies have introduced the Scheme; (c) what are the tangible results; and (d) whether his Ministry is monitoring the progress of the Scheme and will make the necessary changes to ensure its success.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was launched in June this year. The objective is to organize neighbours to help one another and to protect themselves from crime such as robbery, housebreaking and thefts. To-date, 23 constituencies have introduced the Scheme and another 10 constituencies will be doing so between August and October this year.

It is still too early to gauge the tangible results of the Scheme. Members of Residents' Committees (RCs) are providing the leadership in forming Neighbourhood Watch Groups. Police officers who are members of RCs are spearheading the efforts and providing guidance to other members. There are 3,628 police officers living in public housing estates. To-date, 73 police officers who are RC members have helped to form 74 groups. The rest will soon be forming such groups with their immediate neighbours.

The results of the Scheme, in terms of its effect in reducing the crime rate, can only be assessed after the Neighbourhood Watch Groups have had sufficient time to build up and consolidate themselves.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is monitoring the progress of the Scheme which is being coordinated by the RC Secretariat in the Prime Minister's Office and the Crime Prevention and Community Relations Department of the Police Force. The plan is to fully implement the scheme by 1st June, 1982 in all public housing estates with RCs. At the same time, the Police will urge residents' associations in private residential estates to form Neighbourhood Watch Groups.

My Ministry will continue to monitor the Scheme closely and make whatever adjustments that may be necessary to ensure its success.