Rising Shop Theft and Voyeurism Spark Concern in Singapore

Singapore, often lauded as one of the safest cities in the world, has reported a stable overall rate of physical crime in 2024, with a marginal increase of just three cases, from 19,966 in 2023 to 19,969 last year. However, beneath this apparent stability lies growing concern among authorities over specific types of crime, notably shop theft and voyeurism, which have seen significant rises. As the city-state grapples with these trends, questions emerge about the underlying causes and the measures needed to sustain its reputation for safety.

Shop Theft on the Rise

Shop theft emerged as the most prevalent physical crime in 2024, accounting for over 21% of all reported cases. The number of incidents climbed by 7.6%, from 3,939 in 2023 to 4,237 last year. Retail outlets such as FairPrice at Jurong Point, Watsons at Suntec City Mall, and Cold Storage at Plaza Singapura were frequently targeted, according to police reports. While representatives from FairPrice Group and DFI Retail Group, which operates Cold Storage and Giant supermarkets, declined to share specific figures, a spokesperson for Watsons confirmed a 20% surge in shop theft cases at their stores over the past year.

Unlike in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, where recent spikes in retail crime have been linked to economic pressures and the rising cost of living, Singapore’s police attribute the local increase to the growing use of security cameras by retailers. Enhanced surveillance may be detecting more incidents that previously went unreported, rather than reflecting a genuine surge in criminal intent. Commonly stolen items include personal care products, cosmetics, and food and beverages, with supermarkets and health and beauty outlets being prime targets, particularly for younger offenders.

This trend raises broader questions about consumer behaviour and societal factors in a city known for its stringent laws and high living standards. While economic hardship is less frequently cited as a driver in Singapore compared to other nations, the focus on everyday items suggests petty theft may be motivated by convenience or opportunism rather than desperation. The police have yet to release detailed demographic data on offenders, but the involvement of youth in many cases points to a need for targeted education and community outreach to address underlying issues.

Voyeurism Cases Climb

Alongside shop theft, voyeurism has emerged as another area of concern, with a 9% increase in cases from 476 in 2023 to 519 in 2024. These incidents occurred across diverse settings, with 162 reported on residential premises, 80 in shopping complexes, and 69 on the public transport network. Disturbingly, many cases on residential premises involved perpetrators known to the victims, such as family members, boyfriends, or tenants, while incidents in public spaces typically involved strangers.

The rise in voyeurism reflects a troubling invasion of personal privacy, amplified by the accessibility of recording devices and the challenges of policing private spaces. Singapore’s authorities have invested heavily in public safety infrastructure, including CCTV networks in public areas, but the intimate nature of many voyeurism cases complicates prevention efforts. Public awareness campaigns and stricter penalties may be necessary to deter such behaviour, alongside technological solutions to detect and prevent unauthorised recordings.

Other Crime Trends: Mixed Results

While shop theft and voyeurism have risen, other categories of physical crime show varied patterns. Outrage of modesty cases, which often involve inappropriate physical contact, decreased by 6.6%, from 1,528 in 2023 to 1,427 in 2024. Over half of these incidents involved perpetrators known to the victims, with residential premises, public transport, and shopping complexes being common locations. Housebreaking and theft cases also declined, from 135 to 118, following a mid-year spike in June 2024. Police attributed the subsequent drop to intensified patrols, community engagement, and the deployment of cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles in private residential estates.

Rape cases saw a reduction, falling from 436 in 2023 to 401 in 2024, though the majority involved victims acquainted with their attackers. Knife-related incidents, however, rose slightly from 117 to 131, prompting discussions about regulating the sale of weapons such as flick knives and knuckle dusters after several high-profile attacks, including one on a Catholic priest in Bukit Timah. Meanwhile, murder cases reached a five-year high with 10 incidents recorded in 2024, though specific details remain limited in public disclosures.

Police Response and Community Role

Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) Gregory Tan, director of the police’s operations department, acknowledged the stable overall crime rate as a testament to strong community support and stakeholder collaboration. He highlighted the decline in crimes such as outrage of modesty as encouraging but stressed the importance of remaining vigilant. “Technological advancements have enhanced our ability to detect and solve physical crimes,” SAC Tan noted, warning potential offenders that the police are better equipped than ever to respond.

The emphasis on technology—from security cameras in retail spaces to aerial surveillance in residential areas—underscores Singapore’s proactive approach to crime prevention. Yet, as SAC Tan suggested, sustaining low crime rates requires more than enforcement; it demands active participation from the public. Community initiatives, such as neighbourhood watch programmes and partnerships with retailers, could play a pivotal role in addressing petty crimes like shop theft, while education campaigns might help curb voyeurism by fostering greater respect for personal boundaries.

Balancing Safety and Societal Trends

Singapore’s reputation as a bastion of safety remains largely intact, but the uptick in specific crimes like shop theft and voyeurism signals emerging challenges. The increased detection of shop theft, driven by better surveillance, may not indicate a deeper societal malaise, but it does highlight the need for retailers and authorities to collaborate on prevention strategies, such as improved store layouts or youth engagement programmes. Similarly, the rise in voyeurism calls for a nuanced response that balances technological innovation with cultural shifts towards greater privacy awareness.

As Senior Assistant Commissioner Tan affirmed, the goal is to reinforce Singapore’s standing as one of the world’s safest nations. Achieving this will require not only leveraging cutting-edge tools but also fostering a societal commitment to mutual respect and vigilance. For now, while the overall crime rate holds steady, these targeted increases serve as a reminder that even in a city as secure as Singapore, complacency is not an option.