Crime rate in Singapore falls: MHA

CRIME remained low in Singapore and the overall crime rate has fallen in 2016 compared to the preceding year, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Wednesday.

MHA said the number of violent and serious property crimes, housebreaking and related crimes, as well as theft fell last year compared to 2015.

The overall drug situation was stable, with a slight fall in the number of drug abusers arrested. However, the rise in the number of new drug abusers is a concern. Close to two-thirds of all new abusers were aged below 30.

MHA noted that despite the slight drop in the number of commercial crimes, scams like cheatings involving e-commerce, internet love scam, and China officials impersonation, continue to be a significant concern.

Singapore roads were deemed safer, with a lower number of fatal accidents and fatalities. However, there has been an increase in fatal accidents involving elderly pedestrians.

The number of immigration offenders arrested has remained low, and the number of persons arrested for harbouring and employing immigration offenders has also fallen.