Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Number of Armed Robberies in the Past Five Years

Question:

Miss Rachel Ong: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs since banks have co-located their staff with Police at the Anti-Scam Centre (a) what is the current number of (i) known scams that have been prevented and (ii) scams involving bank transfers and withdrawals that have not been prevented; and (b) where scams have not prevented, what are the main causes.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

1.   From January 2018 to August 2022, there were 43 armed robberies, or an average of nine per year. The number of such cases has decreased, from 14 in 2018 to eight in 2021.

2.   Under the Penal Code 1871, an individual convicted of robbery armed with a deadly weapon is liable for imprisonment between two years and 14 years, and if eligible for caning, not fewer than 12 strokes. The heavy punishment serves to deter potential offenders.

3.   It is recognised that establishments with cash on premise, including banks, could be a more likely target for robbers. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) therefore expects banks to put in place appropriate security measures. Measures deployed by banks include closed-circuit television system, electronic access control for restricted areas, intrusion detection systems, panic alarms or kick-bars, and armed security personnel.

4.   Other financial establishments have also put in place similar measures to prevent and deter armed robberies.

5.   The Singapore Police Force will continue to monitor the crime situation and implement relevant anti-crime measures as appropriate.