CRIME IN HDB NEW TOWNS (Particulars)

Mr S. Chandra Das asked the Minister for Home Affairs what are the types and number of crimes frequently committed in Housing and Development Board new towns, especially in Ang Mo Kio; and what further measures will be introduced to reduce the crime levels.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, the crimes most commonly committed in public housing estates are robbery, housebreaking, motor vehicle theft and vandalism. There were 5,672 such offences in 1986. The number up to September this year was 4,786. In Ang Mo Kio a total of 435 cases was reported for the period January to September this year. For the same period last year the total was 333 cases. The overall increase was attributed mainly to motor vehicle theft and vandalism.

The Police are monitoring the crime levels. In the problem areas extensive patrols and ambushes are carried out. Where appropriate, special operations have also been mounted for some of these offences. The Police will step up their policing efforts through more Police presence and anti-crime operations. The public also can play a big part to help in this area. They can help by immediately reporting suspicious persons loitering around the vicinity. Indeed, such public cooperation and vigilance, in the opinion of the Police, contributed to a decline in housebreaking offences last year.