Question:
Dr Chia Shi-Lu: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in respect of annual statistics for juvenile delinquents since 2013 and by gender (a) what are the five main categories of crimes committed; (b) what are the distributions by age groups (below 13, 13-14, 15-16, above 16 years old); and (c) what are the distributions by racial groups.
Answer:
1. The youth crime situation in Singapore is under control.[1] The number of youth offenders arrested has gone down in the past decade by about 35%, from 4,280 in 2006 to 2,788 in 2016.
2. Shop Theft, Bicycle Theft, Other Forms of Theft, Rioting, and Sexual Penetration of Minor under 16 Years Old, were the most common offences.
3. The age and gender distribution of youth offenders from 2013 to Jun 2017 is in the table below.
| |
7 – Below 12 years old |
12 – Below 14 years old |
14 – Below 16 years old |
16 – Below 18 years old |
18 – Below 20 years old |
Total |
As a percentage of Total Youths |
| Male |
5.3% (550) |
11.2% (1,167) |
27.0% (2,827) |
31.3% (3,273) |
25.2% (2,637) |
100% (10,454) |
77.5% |
| Female |
4.4% (134) |
11.2% (340) |
26.2% (794) |
30.0% (908) |
28.2% (853) |
100% 3,029) |
22.5% |
| Total |
5.1% (684) |
11.2% (1,507) |
26.9% (3,621) |
31.0% (4,181) |
25.9% (3,490) |
100% (13,483) |
|
4. There is an over-representation of minority races among youth offenders. Police work with self-help and community groups including Yayasan MENDAKI and Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), to address these concerns.
5. Indeed, youth crime is a multi-faceted problem that requires a multi-agency approach for effective and lasting results. Educational institutions, other law enforcement agencies, the social services sector and parents all have a role to play. Police will continue to work with relevant stakeholders and partners to keep our youths away from crime.
[1] "Youth" refers to persons from 7 years old to below 20 years old.
