Crimes in S'pore busted with public's help
By Olivia Siong | Posted: 15 November 2011 1137 hrs
SINGAPORE: Four in 10 crime cases last year in Singapore were solved with the help of members of the public.
Second Minister for Home Affairs Mr S Iswaran said the increased crime-fighting capability is a result of the close trust and understanding built up with the community.
Speaking at the opening of this year's International Crime Prevention Conference on Tuesday, he said policing strategies must evolve with changes in the community to remain relevant.
These include an ageing population, an increased number of migrants in Singapore and a more highly-educated community.
He said crime prevention remains a core to Singapore's policing strategy but policing cannot be just about reacting to and solving crimes.
He said Singapore aims to fight crime upstream to prevent and deter crime before it occurs.
Mr Iswaran said: "This new model will enhance the way in which the police force works in, with and through the community in order to fight crime.
"These changes will allow the police to better fight complex crimes, and raise its crime-fighting capabilities to the next level."
In 2011, non-residents form 27 per cent of Singapore's total population, up from 20 per cent in 2001. Residents aged 65 form 9.3 per cent of the total population in 2011, an increase from 7.2 per cent in 2000.
M Iswaran on Monday announced a revamp to frontline policing efforts which includes boosting police patrols and bringing crime-fighting capabilities closer to the ground.
At Tuesday's event, he said these changes will allow police to better fight complex crimes.
- CNA/ck
