Crime rates down in first half of the year

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http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/crime-rates-down-first-half-year

The number of reported crimes has fallen by 6.3 per cent in the first half of the year from a year ago to 14,562 cases, according to figures released by the police yesterday.

Numbers were down for all crime categories except crimes against persons — where a victim was physically harmed, as well as violent property crimes.

There was a 22.7 per cent increase in extortion cases — classified as a violent property crime — with the majority being cyber extortion cases. But the amount of money scammed in such cases fell to over S$19,000 from over S$112,000 a year ago.

The biggest fall was in housebreaking and related crimes, which decreased by 24.3 per cent. Commercial crimes, which comprised mainly cases linked to cheating such as lottery scams, saw the next biggest fall at 14.3 per cent.


The police also reported improvements in unlicensed moneylending (loansharking) and phone scams, which were concerns highlighted last year.

There was a 9.5 per cent drop in unlicensed moneylending harassment cases, while phone scams fell by 55 per cent.

Among concerns highlighted by the police was the 14.2 per cent increase in serious hurt offences. More such cases were reported at construction sites - 17 cases in the first half of this year.