NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE POST (Progress)

Mr S. Chandra Das asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) if he will report on the progress made on the establishment of the Neighbourhood Police Post; (b) what problems have been encountered, if any; and (c) when will the Neighbourhood Police Post be established in the Chong Boon Constituency.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, the primary objective of the NPP System is the establishment of good police-public relations. Better cooperation should lead to a lower crime rate. To evaluate the effectiveness of the system, we are adopting two approaches:

(a) From the public viewpoint, by means of a public opinion survey; and

(b) From the police viewpoint, by means of workload data.

On the public opinion survey, a public opinion survey is being undertaken by Dr Jon Quah and Dr Stella Quah of the National University of Singapore.

With regard to the police workload data, a number of new services were introduced in the NPPs to provide more opportunities for interaction between Police and public. These services include:

(1) Changing of addresses in identity cards;

(2) Giving directions and address guidance;

(3) Providing crime prevention advice;

(4) Engraving of valuable properties; and

(5) Promoting the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

The strategic locations of NPPs in the neighbourhood make police services readily available to the residents. They are now more willing to make reports or relate their problems to the Police. Favourable comments on the NPP have been received from the residents as well as grassroots leaders. A tangible result is the willingness of residents to form Neighbourhood Watch Groups (NWGs). 6,594 units formed NWGs in the first eight months as compared to 1,197 prior to the implementation of the NPP System. This represents an almost six-fold increase. The rapport between the Police and residents is better than before.

The serious crime statistics in Toa Payoh Division also show a decrease. There were 561 cases reported for the period June 1983 to January 1984 as compared to 597 cases reported in the 8-month period, October 1982 to May 1983, a decrease of 36 cases or 6%. The crime situation in Toa Payoh Division also compared favourably with the whole of Singapore. The monthly average number of serious crime at the national level has increased by 13.7%. However, the monthly average number of serious crimes for Toa Payoh Division has dropped by 7.4%.

Home visits by NPP officers to strengthen the rapport between them and the residents constitute the core of the NPP System. The first visits were made by NPP officers in the company of members of CCCs or RCs. A booklet explaining to the residents the NPP concept in simple terms was distributed. It included profiles of NPP officers serving in the community so that residents will get to know them personally. The first series of home visits covered 52,419 households in the Division. The second series of home visits has already commenced.

With regard to the evaluation of the NPP System, Japanese Police experts will assist in the evaluation of the first phase of the NPP System in June this year.

Another nine NPPs will be built, five in Paya Lebar Police Division and four in Jurong Police Division. The five posts in the Paya Lebar Division will be built in the Ang Mo Kio housing estate, which includes the Chong Boon Constituency.