Crime Rates in 2021: A Shift Towards Cybercrime
In 2021, Singapore maintained its reputation as one of the safest countries globally, largely due to the continuous efforts of the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which marked its third year, the SPF balanced their critical public health support with their core mission of ensuring public safety and combating crime.
While physical crimes, including robbery, snatch theft, and housebreaking, continued to decrease, a troubling rise in online scams was noted. As more people shifted to online platforms for shopping, socialising, and managing finances, the incidence of scams surged, prompting the police to redirect their crime-fighting focus towards combating these digital threats.
The first half of 2021 saw a 16% increase in scams compared to the previous year, with job, e-commerce, investment, and loan scams topping the list. In response, the police intensified public awareness campaigns, educating the public on how to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
In terms of enforcement, over 7,400 individuals were arrested for scams, and approximately S$100 million was recovered for victims. International cooperation led to the dismantling of 16 transnational scam syndicates, resulting in more than 200 arrests.
Additionally, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and GovTech introduced ScamShield, an app designed to block scam calls and SMS messages. Launched for iOS in November 2020, the app has since blocked over 2.3 million scam SMS messages and 14,000 suspected scam phone numbers. Android users can expect a version of the app to be available in early 2022.
While the rise of cybercrime presented new challenges, police officers continued to face risks during their daily duties. To mitigate these dangers, they received enhanced training and access to advanced equipment, such as robotic systems simulating dangerous situations for more realistic practice scenarios.
The Singapore Police Force also maintained its strong stance on those who harm officers, stating that perpetrators would face firm legal consequences. Thankfully, cases of police officer injury have been on the decline.
The pandemic also added responsibilities for the police, including enforcement of regulations at F&B establishments and supporting contact tracing efforts with the Ministry of Health. Over 500 enforcement operations resulted in over 400 arrests related to breaches of Covid-19 regulations.
In line with advancing technology, drones were deployed for a range of operations, from anti-crime patrols in industrial areas to aiding in searches for missing persons and supporting crowd management at large public events.
Finally, the SPF reinforced its partnership with the community, highlighting that public collaboration plays a crucial role in combating crime. Through the launch of the Community Watch Scheme in December 2021, the police encouraged public involvement in various crime prevention activities, from neighbourhood watches to supporting efforts to curb e-commerce fraud.
