Surveillance for Places with Frequent Youth Gang Fights

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs what more can be done to ensure safety in places where youths frequent and where youth gang fights have occurred that resulted in casualties or fatalities.

Youths frequent various public, social and recreational areas, including heartland malls, the vicinity of their schools and entertainment outlets, such as bars, karaoke, cinemas and shopping complexes.

Public Entertainment outlets, such as billiard saloons and amusement centres, are subject to licensing conditions which require the licensee to report unlawful activities to the Police. In other youth congregation areas, Police conducts visible patrols and enforcement checks to maintain public safety. Police also delivers crime prevention advice to youths in vulnerable circumstances, and works with premise owners and other stakeholders to enhance security measures, such as the deployment of security officers and surveillance cameras, to detect crime and violence.

Police takes youth gang incidents very seriously and has further increased patrols, enforcement checks and security measures to ensure the safety of the public following recent incidents. For example, Police has conducted intensive checks at Cineleisure and the neighbouring *Scape Park, while working with the management to consider longer-term measures, such as improving and expanding the CCTV systems, to detect and deter crime.

In addition, the Government has recently reviewed and refined our strategies and measures to deal with youth crime and youth violence. Last month, in response to another Member's question, the Ministry updated this House on the implementation of recommendations from the Inter-Ministry Working Group on Youth Gangs. They include enhanced coordination and collaboration between agencies, improved upstream measures for youths who are at the early stages of gang association, enhancements in family involvement in the youths rehabilitation and diversionary programmes, and the strengthening of anti-gang legislation which will tighten the regulation of youth

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congregation areas.

Although the youth crime and youth gang situation in Singapore remains under control, we will continue with our efforts to help youths stay crime-free, while taking action against those who present a threat to public safety. I would also like to encourage parents and the community to play their part in helping youths stay crime-free and to keep our neighbourhoods and public areas safe.