VICE ACTIVITIES IN ORCHARD ROAD

VICE ACTIVITIES IN ORCHARD ROAD

23.

Ms Indranee Rajah asked the Minister for Home Affairs what steps are being taken by the police to clean up the vice activities in and around Orchard Towers and Orchard Plaza.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Police is keeping a close watch on the vice situation and is aware of vice activities in the vicinity of Orchard Towers and Orchard Plaza areas. Enforcement action has been stepped up in these areas. The operations target women who solicit in public and include taking video footage of women soliciting in public for follow up action. Police has also been conducting regular checks on entertainment outlets in the vicinity, to keep out vice from these premises.

So far this year, Police has carried out 104 checks at Orchard Towers and Orchard Plaza . As a result, 206 sex workers were arrested at Orchard Towers . Four masseuses involved in vice activities have also been arrested during checks at Orchard Plaza this year. The most recent enforcement operation at Orchard Towers was conducted on 30th October 2004 where 120 women were arrested on suspicion of involvement in vice activities. Following these enforcement actions, the vice activities at Orchard Towers and Orchard Plaza have been largely kept in check.

Police has also engaged the management of Orchard Plaza as well as that of buildings in the immediate vicinity to explore various measures to keep out vice activities. These include the installation and use of close-circuit TV cameras, as well as the deployment of retractable soft barricades at staircases.

Let me assure the House that the vice situation in and around Orchard Towers and Orchard Plaza is under control. Police will continue to keep up its enforcement efforts and vary the enforcement strategy in accordance with any new trends.

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