SNATCH THEFTS IN RADIN MAS CONSTITUENCY (Preventive measures)

Mr M.K.A. Jabbar asked the Minister for Home Affairs, in view of the recent spate of snatch thefts in the Radin Mas Constituency, whether the frequency of Police car patrols in the area can be increased.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there has been no recent upsurge of snatch thefts in the Radin Mas Constituency. There were nine cases of snatch thefts in the Constituency in the first seven months of this year. There were also nine cases of snatch theft over the corresponding period last year.

Radin Mas Constituency is patrolled by a team policing car from the Queenstown Police Station, In addition, there are Police National Servicemen in uniform performing vertical policing during the day and at night. Plainclothes policemen and detectives also make their usual rounds and conduct anti-crime operations from time to time.

Snatch theft is a crime of opportunity, The victims are invariably women. Through crime preventive campaigns the Police have repeatedly advised our women on how they should carry their handbags to avoid snatch thefts. This crime prevention message is now being disseminated to the residents of HDB estates through the Residents' Committees and through the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, If members of the public were to take these simple precautions, they can avoid being victims of snatch thieves.