CRIMES OF VIOLENCE AND MEASURES TAKEN FOR PREVENTING AND ABATING THEM IN SINGAPORE (FROM UNAFEI - REPORT FOR 1976 AND RESOURCE MATERIAL SERIES NO 13, 1977 - SEE NCJ-43800)

• NCJ Number: 43810
• Author(s): A R JALIL
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Nations

Annotation

TRENDS OF VIOLENT CRIME IN SINGAPORE ARE REVIEWED, AND LEGISLATIVE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND OTHER COUNTERMEASURES ARE DESCRIBED.

Abstract

STATISTICS ON SEIZABLE OFFENSES, I.E., SITUATIONS IN WHICH POLICE OFFICERS MAY MAKE ARRESTS WITHOUT WARRANTS, IN SINGAPORE FROM 1962 THROUGH 1975 SHOW FLUCTUATING TRENDS. CRIMES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS AND PROPERTY INCREASED FROM 4,034 TO 4,598 DURING THIS PERIOD. HOWEVER, IN LIGHT OF THE INCREASE IN SINGAPORE'S POPULATION DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE RATE OF VIOLENT OFFENSES HAS REMAINED FAIRLY CONSTANT. FROM 1973 TO 1975 CRIMES OF ROBBERY, ASSAULT, CAUSING HURT TO AND ASSAULTING PUBLIC SERVANTS, AND UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND OTHER WEAPONS DECREASED, WHILE SEX OFFENSES, KIDNAPPING, AND ATTEMPTED EXTORTION INCREASED. LAWS STIFFENING PUNISHMENTS FOR THE OFFENSES THAT DECREASED IN NUMBER WERE ENACTED IN 1973. SPECIFIC LEGISLATIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL CRIME IN SINGAPORE ARE NOTED, AS ARE SPECIAL MEASURES TO CURB SECRET SOCIETY INCIDENTS. POLICE ACTIVITIES, EFFORTS TO ENSURE SPEEDY TRIALS, REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR PAROLEES AND DISCHARGED PRISONERS, AND CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS ARE ALSO DESCRIBED. THE POLICE FORCE PROVIDES SECURITY GUARDS AND ESCORTS TO THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS. TEAM POLICING AND CRIME PREVENTION CAMPAIGNS ARE ALSO EMPLOYED, AS ARE CITIZEN PATROL GROUPS.