Safety and Security Situation in 2018

Singapore Remains a Safe and Secure Home

1.     Singapore continued to be a safe and secure home. The 2018 Global Law and Order Report ¹ ranked Singapore as the safest country in the world, ahead of Norway, Iceland and Finland.

2.     The overall crime rate increased slightly in 2018, mainly due to an increase in scams, in particular online scams. However, crime remained at low levels. Notably, the number of theft and related crimes, such as theft-in-dwelling, shop theft, and motor vehicles and related thefts ² fell.

3.     Singapore remains relatively drug-free, and this is significant against the backdrop of a more challenging global and regional drug supply situation.

4.     The recidivism rate of ex-offenders remained low and stable.

5.     The number of immigration offenders arrested fell.

6.     There was a decrease in the number of speeding violations and accidents involving elderly pedestrians.

7.     The number of residential fire incidents has dropped. The number of non-emergency medical calls has also dropped, which can be attributed to the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) intensive public education efforts on its tiered medical response framework. ³

Trends of Concern

8.     There are several trends of concern. First, the proportion of young drug abusers among new abusers arrested remained high. There was an increase in the number of drug abusers arrested, particularly for abuse of new psychoactive substances and methamphetamine.

9.     The number of fatalities from motorcycle accidents, red-light running violations and accidents caused by drink-driving increased.

10.     The number of fires involving power-assisted bicycles and personal mobility devices continued to rise.

11.     Computer misuse and outrage of modesty cases (especially on public transport and in public entertainment outlets), also continue to be areas of concern.

Sustaining Momentum with SGSecure

12.     Our community is now more aware of the terror threat and the role they play in the SGSecure movement. SGSecure has gathered significant momentum and achieved good progress in raising public awareness and preparedness.

13.     9 in 10 Singaporeans recognise that they have a role to play in safeguarding our nation’s safety and security; 3 in 4 Singaporeans are now aware of SGSecure; and 1 in 2 believe that they are well prepared to handle a terror attack in Singapore. The Home Team will build on this momentum and continue to work with partner agencies to further strengthen our preparedness.

2018 Safety and Security Situation - Infographic [.pdf, 700kb]

[1] The 2018 Global Law and Order Report was released on 7 June 2018. It interviewed close to 150,000 residents in 142 countries and areas in 2017. Respondents were asked about their confidence in the local police, and whether they had been recent victims of crime.

[2] Motor vehicle and related thefts include theft of motor vehicles, theft of motor vehicle component parts and theft from motor vehicles.

[3] SCDF’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Tiered Response Framework ensures that the scale of SCDF’s response to a medical call matches its severity. Life-threatening emergencies will be prioritised to receive faster and enhanced medical services as compared to minor emergencies and non-emergencies.