Singapore sees increase in shoplifting and voyeurism cases in 2024: Police Report

The number of shoplifting and voyeurism cases increased in 2024, according to the latest Annual Crime Brief 2024 released by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Monday (Feb 17). Despite these increases, the overall number of physical crime cases remained stable.

Shoplifting Surges, Particularly Among Youths

There were 4,237 cases of shop theft in 2024, a 7.6 per cent increase from 3,939 cases in 2023. Shop theft now accounts for 21.2 per cent of all physical crime cases reported last year. The increase is attributed to the wider use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance and facial recognition technology, which has enhanced retailers’ ability to detect offenders. Among those arrested for shop theft, 379 were youths aged between 10 and 19, comprising 20.9 per cent of total arrests for shop theft. Many of these incidents occurred in supermarkets, beauty shops, and personal care/health stores, with commonly stolen items including personal care products, food, and cosmetics. Retailers with the highest number of reported shoplifting incidents in 2024 included NTUC FairPrice at Jurong Point, Watsons at Suntec City Mall, and Cold Storage at Plaza Singapura. To counter the trend, SPF has been actively engaging schools and retailers through initiatives like school talks, community programs, and the Shop Theft Awareness for Retailers (STAR) programme, which now includes over 1,000 retail outlets across Singapore.

Voyeurism Cases See a 9% Increase

Voyeurism cases increased by 9 per cent, from 476 cases in 2023 to 519 cases in 2024, making up 2.6 per cent of all physical crime cases. These crimes primarily occurred at:

• Residential premises (162 cases)
• Shopping complexes (80 cases)
• Public transport (69 cases)

Notably, 76.5 per cent of voyeurism cases in residential premises were committed by individuals known to the victims, including boyfriends, ex-boyfriends, household members, or fellow tenants. To combat voyeurism, authorities have implemented public awareness campaigns in MRT stations and other high-risk areas, such as anti-voyeurism messages broadcast during peak hours and full-height privacy partitions in public restrooms. SPF is also collaborating with the Restroom Association of Singapore (RAS) to introduce security design guidelines for public toilets, including strategic placement of CCTV cameras at entrances and enhanced lighting.

Molestation Cases Drop, But Remain a Concern

The number of outrage of modesty (molestation) cases dropped by 6.6 per cent, from 1,528 in 2023 to 1,427 in 2024. However, it remains a crime of concern, accounting for 7.1 per cent of total physical crime cases. More than half of these cases involved perpetrators known to the victims. The top locations for molestation cases were:

• Residential premises (356 cases)
• Public transport (158 cases)
• Shopping complexes (135 cases)
• Public entertainment outlets (103 cases, down from 135 in 2023)
• Authorities have continued crime prevention campaigns, such as the Safe Clubbing Campaign (SCC), which partners with public entertainment venues to enhance safety measures. On public transport, SPF has placed crime prevention messages at MRT stations and on buses to raise commuter awareness.

Housebreaking and Theft Cases Fall Despite Syndicate Activity

Despite a brief surge in cases linked to foreign syndicates targeting private residential estates, overall housebreaking and theft cases fell from 135 cases in 2023 to 118 cases in 2024. A series of burglaries between June and August 2024 in landed estates near the Rail Corridor and Bukit Timah Road resulted in S$3.85 million (US$2.9 million) worth of stolen jewellery. Authorities believe the crimes were carried out by Chinese nationals linked to foreign syndicates. In response, SPF stepped up patrols and deployed mobile cameras in private estates, leading to a sharp decline in housebreaking cases in subsequent months.

Technological Advancements Strengthening Crime Detection

SPF highlighted that advancements in surveillance technology have bolstered the ability to detect and deter physical crime. The police have expanded their use of facial recognition, AI-powered analytics, and real-time monitoring tools to track and identify repeat offenders. Director of Operations Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) Gregory Tan emphasized that potential offenders should be aware of these enhanced detection capabilities. "With these advancements and further investments in technological tools by SPF, culprits will be caught and taken to task under the law," he said.

A Stable Crime Landscape, But Continued Vigilance Needed

While the total number of physical crime cases remained largely unchanged at 19,969 cases in 2024 (compared to 19,966 in 2023), the rise in shoplifting and voyeurism cases signals an evolving crime landscape. Authorities stressed that community engagement and vigilance remain critical in maintaining Singapore’s reputation as one of the world’s safest nations. SPF continues to work with schools, retailers, and transport operators to raise awareness and improve crime prevention measures. With more than 1,000 retailers participating in anti-theft initiatives and new security measures being introduced in public spaces, Singapore’s law enforcement remains committed to tackling emerging crime trends effectively.