Rioting and Serious Hurt Incidences in East Coast Park, West Coast Park and Changi Beach Linked to Alcohol Consumption in 2013 and 2014

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs if he can provide a breakdown of the number of rioting and serious hurt incidences in East Coast Park, West Coast Park and Changi Beach over the past two years of 2013 to 2014 and how many of these are linked to alcohol consumption.

Four out of the nine cases, or over 44%, of Rioting and Serious Hurt at East Coast Park (ECP), West Coast Park (WCP) and Changi Beach, over the past two years were linked to the consumption of alcohol. The breakdown is as follows:

With the passage of the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Bill, public consumption of alcohol will be restricted islandwide from 10.30 pm to 7.00 am. Exempting coastal parks, such as ECP, WCP and Changi Beach, from the restriction could result in persons congregating in public areas in these parks for alcohol consumption leading to higher disamenities to other park users. There is already a range of licensed outlets in and around some of these parks where the consumption of alcohol will continue to be permitted on their premises within their licensed hours.