ALCOHOL-RELATED CRIMES

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Home Affairs, based on annual records of crimes committed from 1990 to 1999, whether alcohol was a significant causal factor of these crimes and what was the trend for women and youth offenders being arrested for drink driving and other crimes related to alcohol.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Police does not track offences committed by culprits who are under influence of alcohol. However, Police's assessment is that alcohol intoxication has not been a significant factor contributing to crimes. The small number of crimes where alcohol was a factor are generally limited to crimes against persons, such as assaults and outraging of modesty.

Police does not have the breakdown of arrests for drink driving by sex or age. However, as the minimum age for holding driving licences is 18 years old, cases of youths involved in drink driving are rare.