SAFETY OF THE ELDERLY

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Home Affairs, in view of the vulnerability of elderly persons to physical assaults and robbery by strangers in lonely public places, what more can his Ministry do to safeguard the safety of the elderly in Singapore.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: The Home Team, especially the Police, regard the safety and security of the elderly and other more vulnerable members of the community as one of our key concerns. We adopt a multi-pronged approach in safeguarding the safety and security of the elderly, from crime prevention education to proactive enforcement.

At the national level, the Police work closely with the media to raise awareness on crime prevention. For example, through its popular "Crime Watch", the Police highlight cases of crimes against the elderly, explain the modus operandi of the offenders, and advise preventive measures which the public should take to minimize the chances of them becoming a victim of crime.

At the community level, each Police Division partners the community through the Community Safety and Security Programme (CSSP) to enhance the safety and security of the neighbourhood. There have been many successful CSSP programmes for the elderly. For example, the Central Singapore CDC, which has a high concentration of senior citizens, especially in the Kreta Ayer, Jalan Besar and Kampong Glam areas, started the "Care and Support Programme for the Elderly" to raise crime prevention awareness among its elderly residents. Through a series of crime prevention talks - some of them conducted in dialects - the Police share with the elderly how to protect themselves and their valuables. The elderly also form mutual support groups so that the more able members will support and take care of the less able. If unfortunately an elderly falls prey to crime, with his/her consent, the Police would liaise with the CDC for follow up on taking care of the victim.

At the individual level, the Police will in their house visits advise family members to play an active role in inculcating "safe" habits to not only the elders but also all members of the family. Some of these preventive measures include for example, avoiding wearing expensive jewellery or carrying large amounts of money, arranging for someone to walk the elderly home when returning home late, and avoiding dark and deserted shortcuts.

Besides crime prevention education and working with the community, the Police regularly patrol the neighbourhood and look out in particular for the safety and security of the elderly. The Police also spare no efforts to solve the crime and arrest the offenders, thereby sending a deterrent message to other would-be offenders.

Indeed, by working hand-in-hand with the community, we have managed to keep the crime rate against elderly persons low. The number of robberies committed on elderly persons decreased from 89 cases in 1998 to 84 cases in 1999, and 67 cases in year 2000. The number of serious assaults involving elderly victims each year has also been consistently low, with 16 cases in 2000. Most of these cases arose out of disputes and misunderstanding within the family.

Together with the community, the Home Team will work hard towards our goal of a safe and secure best home for all.