2014's biggest crime cases in Singapore

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It was an eventful 2014 for Singapore's men in blue, whose crime-fighting capabilities are poised for a boost in the new year, as authorities turn to technology to enhance their effectiveness.

Still, the fight is set to get tougher - as crimes shift online.

Here is a look at some of this year's biggest crime cases, as well as how police are stepping up efforts to keep Singapore safe, amid the changing criminal landscape.

THE KIDNAP CASE THAT SHOCKED SINGAPORE

In January, two men were charged with allegedly abducting and holding an elderly woman for ransom. The victim was Madam Ng Lye Poh, the mother of Sheng Siong Supermarket's chief executive Lim Hock Chee.

It was a rare case that shocked Singapore. Madam Ng was allegedly kidnapped while walking on her own in Hougang, and later released unhurt after a S$2 million ransom was paid. The money was later recovered. If convicted, the men face the death penalty, or life imprisonment.

MURDER AND MAYHEM

Notably, there were a few gruesome murders this year, like the case in Syed Alwi Road where Pakistani Muhammad Noor's dismembered body was left in a suitcase and his legs found at a nearby cemetery.

There was also a case of vandalism in Toa Payoh in May, with profanities against the People's Action Party and the police spraypainted onto a HDB block. Five teenagers were allegedly involved, and one pled guilty last week to theft and criminal trespass.

That was not the only case of vandalism. Two Germans were tracked to Malaysia, before being taken to court for allegedly vandalising an MRT train at the Bishan depot.

Another case that got tongues wagging was that of bloggers Roy Ngerng and Han Hui Hui, who were charged with allegedly disrupting a charity event at Hong Lim Park.

In November, the peace at Raffles Place was disturbed by a brazen armed robbery that took place in broad daylight, startling the lunchtime crowd. Passersby showed their courage in helping to detain the suspect while waiting for police to arrive, while others attended to the bleeding victim. Police say this illustrates the close partnership between the men in blue and the community.

FIGHTING CRIME WITH TECHNOLOGY

In the fight against crime, technology is becoming more important, and video cameras are set to play a bigger role in helping law enforcement officers maintain order.

The Home Affairs Ministry has laid out plans to enhance response time when an incident breaks out, detect public order incidents more quickly, and prevent similar incidents from happening in future.

Measures include equipping officers with body-worn cameras, and giving fast-response cars electronic eyes. In the new year, liquor control measures are also set to take effect.

Even as they keep an eye on crime on the streets, police are keeping the other eye on action online. Online scams spiked sharply in the first six months of 2014, pushing the overall crime figure up by 1.4 per cent, year on year. These include fraud cases involving e-commerce, as well as internet love scams.

Police plan to continue using online and media platforms to increase awareness of the evolving modus operandi of these scammers, and they urge Internet users to exercise heightened vigilance so as not to fall prey to what police deem preventable crimes.