Crime drops 4.7 per cent, key concerns remain

Overall crime for the first half of the year fell by 4.7 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to the police's mid-year report on crime statistics.

But the police also highlighted two key concerns that the public should take note of: the resurgence of phone scams and the increase in cases of outrage of modesty.

There were 110 successful phone scams in the first half of 2011, where victims were cheated of about S$2.6 million. This was an increase of 21 per cent as compared to 91 cases recorded last year, where in total victims lost around S$1.9 million.

In particular, the police pointed to a spike in "kidnap phone scam" cases. There were 29 cases this year where con men cheated victims of about $159,000 as opposed to only three cases recorded last year.

The conmen would call the victim and claim that one of their family members had been kidnapped. They would subsequently demand that the victim transfer a sum of ransom money or the "kidnapped" person would be harmed, said the police.

Overall reports of suspected cases, whether successful or not, have gone up from 132 to 341.

While the number of successful lottery phone scams fell from 88 to 81 cases this year, the amount of money cheated has increased from S$1.9 million to S$2.5 million.

Director of Operations, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Lim Kok Thai said: "Tricksters will continue employing just about any methods they can conceive with only one purpose in mind: to infuse fear or greed into their victims so they would unwittingly part with their monies.

"Some try to deceive victims into divulging their personal details such as credit or debit card details.

"We must therefore always be one-step ahead in anticipating the possible guises which they may adopt and at the same time be constantly alert when receiving calls bearing similar, suspicious circumstances from unknown persons. If unsure, always call the police immediately."

For cases of outrage of modesty, about 707 cases were reported this year, an increase of 60 cases, or 9 per cent, as compared to the 647 cases last year.

Most cases were committed at the common areas of HDB blocks, shopping malls and on public transport, with the culprit unknown to the victims.

The police also noted a worrying trend in the increase in the number of youths involved in money-lending and harassment activities.

Investigations revealed that most of them were recruited to conduct acts of harassment, while others had assisted syndicates by providing bank accounts for their illegal operations.

Drop in crime in first half of 2011

In its latest report, the police revealed an overall drop in the number of cases from 16,512 cases in the first half of last year to 15,729 cases this year.

It recorded a significant drop in number for housebreaking and related crimes, violent property crimes, theft and crimes against persons. They were down by between 78 and 727 cases for each crime class.

The report shows:

• Housebreaking and related crimes fell by 117 cases to 324 cases.

• Violent property crimes fell by 78 cases to 242 cases.

• Robbery cases fell by 82 cases to 209 cases.

• Theft and related crimes fell by 727 cases to 9,101 cases.

• Crimes against persons fell by 124 cases to 1,982 cases.

There were also significant drops in the number of cases of unlicensed money-lending and harassment, crimes against the elderly, shop theft, and statutory rape.

However, miscellaneous crimes, which comprise offences such as vandalism and disorderly behaviour, saw an increase of 22 cases to 2,012 cases. Commercial crimes, which consist of cheating and related offences, recorded an increase of 13 per cent from 1,827 to 2,068 cases.

To suppress crime, the police said it will adopt a holistic, three-pronged approach of enforcement, engagement and education.