Theft and related crimes

Theft and related crimes registered 19,522 cases in 2007, down 779 cases from the 20,301 cases in 2006. The major sub-categories, including shop theft, theft occurring at residences, commercial and hotel premises, and theft at public areas such as eating places, all registered decreases.

Housebreaking and related crimes

Housebreaking and related crimes registered 925 cases in 2007, and down significantly by 276 cases compared to the 1,201 cases in 2006. In particular, the number of housebreaking cases, at 865, was the lowest for the last 20 years. The large overall decrease could be mainly attributed to fewer break-ins at industrial premises (from 178 to 119 cases), commercial premises (from 386 to 333 cases) and private residential premises (from 171 to 120 cases). Break-ins at childcare/education centres, a key concern for the past few years, also fell from 62 to 30 cases in 2007. In addition, Police also arrested 18 serial offenders in 2007 who were responsible for more than 170 cases of housebreaking. A Police-community partnership in this area is the initiative where portable window and door alarms were installed at family service centres and education centres. Upon hearing the alarm, community watch groups on the floors above these premises would call Police immediately.

Commercial crimes

Commercial crimes comprising mainly of cheating and related offences registered 3,489 cases in 2007, compared to the 3,159 cases in 2006. The increase is attributed to different variations of cheating phone scams using the lucky draw/lottery, kidnap and impersonation of court officials/police officers ruse. Such phone scams, practically unheard of in 2006, claimed 378 victims who lost $4.6m in 2007.

Crimes against persons

Crimes against persons registered 4,084 cases in 2007, compared to the 4,103 cases in 2006. This category refers to crimes where the victim is an individual and suffers bodily harm as a result of the crime. It includes offences such as murder, rioting, rape and outrage of modesty among others. There were 18 murders in 2007, compared to 17 in 2006, all of which were isolated and unrelated. All, except one, were solved. Excluding statutory rape cases, rape fell from 80 in 2006 to 72 in 2007.

Violent property crimes

Violent property crimes, which are made up primarily of robbery cases, registered 1,025 cases in 2007, compared to 1,004 cases in 2006. This category refers to crimes which involves the taking of money or property by force or threat of force against the victim.

Miscellaneous crimes

Miscellaneous crimes registered 3,500 cases in 2007 compared to 3,495 cases in 2006. This category comprises various offences such as mischief, vandalism, bomb hoaxes, and bringing prohibited items into Singapore.