That is an annual report produced along with the Regional Safety Workplace, U.S. Embassy Singapore. OSAC encourages vacationers to make use of this report to achieve baseline information of safety circumstances in Singapore. For extra in-depth data, evaluation OSAC’s Singapore nation web page for unique OSAC reporting, consular messages, and get in touch with data, a few of which can be out there solely to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.
Journey Advisory
Based on the present U.S. Division of State Journey Advisory on the date of this report’s publication, Singapore has been assessed as Degree 1, indicating vacationers ought to train regular precautions. Evaluate OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Journey Advisory System.
General Crime and Security State of affairs
Crime Threats
The U.S. Division of State has assessed Singapore as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. authorities pursuits. Singapore stays one of many most secure cities on the planet. Based on the Economist Intelligence Unit 2019 Secure Cities Index, Singapore topped the record because the world’s most secure metropolis within the classes of Private and Infrastructure safety. The “Lion Metropolis” additionally ranked first within the 2019 Gallup International Legislation and Order report. Crime is mostly non-confrontational and non-violent in nature, and incidents are usually crimes of alternative (e.g. purse snatching, pickpocketing, theft of unattended property). Violent crime is uncommon. If a weapon is concerned, it’s seemingly an edged weapon (e.g. knife, field cutter), as authorities strictly management firearms, and the punishment for possessing them is extreme. Evaluate OSAC’s report, All That You Ought to Depart Behind.
In 2019, the crime price in Singapore elevated by 16.3% to 35,209 reported circumstances, up from 32,126 reported incidents in 2018. The rise within the variety of crimes is attributed to an increase in scam-related circumstances. If scams have been excluded, the whole variety of reported crimes would have decreased by 4.6% to 25,707 circumstances in 2019, from 26, 937 in 2018. 4 of the six classes of crime noticed sharp declines in 2019 from the earlier yr. Crimes in opposition to individuals dropped 12.2%, severe property crimes plummeted 26.2%, burglary decreased by 14.9% and theft dipped 8%. Motorized vehicle and associated thefts and theft and snatch theft circumstances registered a 35-year low in 2019 with 24.1% and 22.2% declines respectively. Singapore additionally noticed a 5.6% lower in “Outrage of Modesty (OM)” (impolite/inappropriate habits) circumstances in 2019. OM circumstances can vary from unwelcome feedback or gestures to inappropriate bodily contact. Most OM incidents occurred on public transportation, at purchasing malls, and fashionable nightlife venues. Singapore was proud to announce a interval of 179 crime-free days in 2019 with none stories of snatch theft, theft, or housebreaking.
Though Geylang and sure lower-cost authorities housing areas endure from extra severe crimes (e.g. mugging, mortgage sharking, and illicit drug use), the speed continues to be decrease than comparable areas within the U.S. Geylang is a recognized “pink mild” district, harboring prostitutes and reportedly internet hosting a rise in organized prison gangs. Prostitution is authorized, however varied prostitution-related actions – public solicitation, under-age prostitution, pimping, residing on the earnings of a prostitute, sustaining a brothel – aren’t. In follow, the police are believed to unofficially tolerate and monitor a restricted variety of brothels.
Singapore’s nationwide community of police cameras has been useful in preventing crime. So far, Singapore police have put in over 80,000 cameras all through the nation, to incorporate 10,000 cameras in Housing and Growth Board (HDB) blocks and multi-story automotive parks (MSCPs) as a part of a program referred to as PolCam. PolCam is a multi-year public initiative to boost the protection and safety of neighborhoods and public areas utilizing a big community of police cameras.
Vandalism carries minimal sentencing that features caning.
Different Areas of Concern
The areas the place bars keep open late – particularly Robertson, Clarke, and Boat Quays alongside the Singapore River, and the Orchard Towers complicated on Orchard Highway – signify more than likely zones for folks to search out hassle in Singapore, particularly at night time.Evaluate OSAC’s report, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Overseas.
Cybersecurity Points
Singapore is a digitally related metropolis, making it prone to on-line crimes, many perpetrated by overseas on-line syndicates. On-line scams rose by 53.5% to 9,502 circumstances in 2019, from 6,189 in 2018. This made up 27% of the general crime for the yr. Together with the spike in on-line scams got here a considerable improve within the sum of money misplaced by victims. Losses from the highest ten scams totaled SGD$168.1 million, up from SGD$144.9 million the earlier yr. Such circumstances embrace unauthorized entry or transaction of a person’s on-line accounts, unauthorized purchases utilizing credit score/debit playing cards, and phishing emails that obtained delicate private data. Of specific concern to the SPF are e-commerce scams, credit-for-sex scams, and mortgage scams, which constituted 60% of the highest ten scams.
For consecutive years, e-commerce scams have the best variety of reported circumstances. For 2019, the variety of e-commerce circumstances rose 30% to 2,809. Victims misplaced roughly SGD$2.3 million.
Mortgage Scams elevated by 83.2% to 1,772 circumstances in 2019. Whole quantity defrauded was roughly SGD$6.8 million, and the biggest single quantity misplaced was SGD$195,000.
Credit score-for-sex scams are scams during which criminals pose as engaging girls on social media platforms to be able to persuade males to purchase them reward playing cards with the promise that they are going to meet, go on a date, and/or provide sexual providers. Such scams have been the third-most reported kind of on-line rip-off, and rose sharply by 99.8% to 1,065 circumstances in 2019, up from 533 in 2018. The full quantity misplaced was roughly SGD $1.5 million. Alipay and iTunes playing cards are sometimes used for cash transfers associated to e-commerce scams.
|
Singapore High Ten Rip-off Classes in 2019 |
||||
|
|
Instances Reported 2019 |
Change From 2018 |
Cash (SGD) Misplaced 2019 |
Largest Single Quantity (SGD) Misplaced |
|
E-Commerce Scams |
2,809 |
+648 |
$2.3m |
$180k |
|
Mortgage Scams |
1,772 |
+805 |
$6.8m |
$195k |
|
Credit score-For-Intercourse Scams |
1,065 |
+532 |
$2.8m |
$80k |
|
Social Media Impersonation Scams |
810 |
+703 |
$3.1m |
$330k |
|
Web Love Scams |
649 |
-19 |
$34.6m |
$4.6m |
|
Funding Scams |
508 |
+161 |
$36.9m |
$5.3m |
|
China Officers Impersonation Scams |
455 |
+154 |
$21.1 |
$1.3 |
|
Enterprise Electronic mail Impersonation Scams |
385 |
+10 |
$45.4m |
$4.1m |
|
Fortunate Draw Scams |
311 |
+152 |
$1.2m |
$314k |
|
Tech Help Scams |
249 |
+226 |
$13.9m |
$1.6m |
The highest 5 digital platforms utilized in e-commerce scams are 1) Carousell, 1,239 circumstances; 2) Fb, 602; 3) Shopee, 279; 4) Lazada, 197, and; 5) Instagram, 103.
ScamAlert.sg offers data on the most recent scams in Singapore, and permits the general public to share their experiences with others. Victims can even report scams to the Anti-Rip-off Helpline at: 1-800-722-6688.
Evaluate OSAC’s stories, Cybersecurity Fundamentals, Finest Practices for Maximizing Safety on Public Wi-Fi, Touring with Cellular Gadgets: Developments & Finest Practices, and Satellite tv for pc Telephones: Important or Contraband?
Transportation-Security State of affairs
Highway Security and Highway Circumstances
Singapore is a right-side drive nation with first-world street circumstances, together with well-illuminated and well-paved thoroughfares with English-language signage, and 4- to 6-lane expressways spanning the nation. Though site visitors generally is a bit extra hectic than what’s widespread within the U.S., with drivers seemingly occupying two lanes without delay and bikes darting from lane to lane between automobiles, site visitors accidents are comparatively uncommon. However, drivers needs to be cautious, as velocity cameras are current, and police usually implement rushing violations.
Drivers ought to acknowledge the issue posed by frequent, generally heavy downpours that may dump a number of inches of water on the roads in minutes.
Evaluate OSAC’s stories, Highway Security Overseas, Driving Abroad: Finest Practices, and Evasive Driving Strategies; and skim the State Division’s webpage on driving and street security overseas.
Public Transportation Circumstances
On account of the excessive price of proudly owning a private car and the federal government’s important emphasis on selling public transportation, Singapore gives all kinds of publicly accessible types of transit (i.e. bus, rail, taxi, and more and more, ride-share providers). Not less than half of Singapore’s inhabitants rides public transportation, with about 5.4 million journeys made every day.
Singapore’s public transportation system contains Mass Speedy Transit (MRT), Mild Rail Transit (LRT), and buses. Due to new building, the MRT community in Singapore continues to develop. The system now encompasses greater than 130 stations and 200 kilometers of observe throughout 5 strains. The MRT has over three million riders day by day. The LRT has 40 stations throughout two strains and 28 kilometers of observe. The North-South Line, East-West Line, and Circle Line are operated by SMRT Trains (SMRT Company), whereas the North-East Line and Downtown Line are run by SBS Transit. Though buses nonetheless take pleasure in day by day ridership exceeding the quantity carried on each the MRT and LRT techniques, the Land Transport Authority plans to develop the rail system such that buses will play solely a feeder position to an intensive rail community.
Evaluate OSAC’s report, Safety In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.
Aviation/Airport Circumstances
Singapore’s Changi Worldwide Airport (SIN), with its 4 terminals, is likely one of the most vital aviation hubs within the area. Changi Airport handles over 65 million passengers every year and has been voted primary on the planet when it comes to buyer satisfaction for a number of years working.
Terrorism Risk
The U.S. Division of State has assessed Singapore as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. authorities pursuits. Singapore stays comparatively free from credible terrorism threats. The Singaporean authorities, nonetheless, usually cites terrorism as considered one of its high considerations, and is keenly conscious of the threats posed by self-radicalized Singaporeans and returning terrorist fighters. Authorities are involved returning overseas terrorist fighters and self-radicalized people from neighboring international locations may try to journey to Singapore to conduct an assault.
A small variety of Singaporean residents have traveled to Syria to hitch ISIS. Native media has expressed considerations that home-grown, self-radicalized terrorists could develop into a safety challenge. As a part of an effort to counter these considerations, the federal government has continued to utilize the Inner Safety Act (ISA), which authorizes the arrest and detention of people suspected of involvement in terrorist actions for as much as two years with out trial. As of the date of this report, 2019 statistics for the variety of people handled below the ISA weren’t out there. Throughout 2017 and 2018, eight self-radicalized Singaporeans had been issued Restriction Orders and/or Order of Detentions below the ISA, bringing the whole to 22 since 2015.
Singaporean officers steadily emphasize the significance of neighborhood involvement and preparedness as a important ingredient in nationwide safety. In 2016, the federal government launched a cellular app known as SGSecure to raised put together the neighborhood in opposition to the specter of terrorism. The app permits the general public to obtain alerts throughout terrorist assaults or different emergencies, to ship data to the authorities, and to obtain data on counterterrorism. Authorities have launched SGSecure packages to colleges, workplaces, neighborhoods, and neighborhood teams to strengthen particular person and institutional preparedness. Following the launch of SGSecure, Singapore’s Dwelling Group has been coaching native communities to assist stop and reply to a terrorist assault. The federal government holds emergency preparedness days through the yr to organize first responders and the general public for a terror assault. Different initiatives embrace the formation of neighborhood volunteer teams comprised of residents who obtain instruction of life-saving abilities like CPR and using an automatic exterior defibrillator (AED).
Political, Financial, Spiritual, and Ethnic Violence
The U.S. Division of State has assessed Singapore as a LOW-threat location for political violence. Singapore has one of the crucial steady governments on the planet. The federal government is competent in managing the nation’s economic system and largely free from political corruption. Though the structure offers for freedoms of speech and expression, the federal government imposes official restrictions on these rights.
The ruling Individuals’s Motion Get together (PAP) first assumed energy previous to Singapore’s independence in 1959, and has gained a majority in each common election since 1965. The PAP has been criticized for sustaining its political dominance partially by circumscribing political discourse and motion, to incorporate the restriction of opposition events. A constitutional provision, nonetheless, assures not less than 9 opposition members maintain seats in parliament.
Civil Unrest
Public demonstrations are authorized solely at Audio system’ Nook in Hong Lim Park, and most out of doors public assemblies require a police allow. Singapore amended its legal guidelines in 2017 to forbid overseas nationals who aren’t everlasting residents from observing permitted public demonstrations, assemblies, and processions at Audio system’ Nook. The regulation doesn’t distinguish between members and observers, so authorities could contemplate anybody at Audio system’ Nook a part of an occasion. Penalties could also be extreme, together with massive fines and/or imprisonment.
Submit-specific Issues
Environmental Hazards
Singapore has not skilled important pure disasters lately.
In September 2019, a thick haze from burning brush in Indonesian Sumatra coated a lot of the island, elevating the Pollutant Requirements Index to above 100 for the primary time in three years. This resulted in potential well being dangers for sure segments of the inhabitants vulnerable to respiratory issues, the aged, and younger youngsters. Recess and different out of doors actions at colleges have been disrupted throughout this era. View the Actual-time Air High quality Index (AQI) for Singapore on-line.
Financial Issues
Singapore’s judicial system is acknowledged all over the world for its legitimacy and impartiality below the regulation. Regardless of the emergence of cyber and financial crime, Transparency Worldwide’s Corruption Notion Index ranked Singapore because the fourth least corrupt nation on the planet. A particular company (Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, CPIB) investigates and prosecutes corruption prices.
Private Identification Issues
The regulation prohibits impolite and disorderly habits, significantly when directed towards girls. Guidelines in opposition to such habits are firmly enforced and carry extreme penalties, to incorporate caning and imprisonment below Singapore’s OM regulation. Evaluate the State Division’s webpage on safety for feminine vacationers.
Singapore doesn’t acknowledge same-sex unions. The Penal Code criminalizes any “act of gross indecency” between two males and prescribes a sentence not exceeding two years for these discovered responsible below this regulation. The federal government has said that it’s going to not implement this part of the Penal Code, nevertheless it stays as an lively statute. The federal government permits occasions that brazenly champion LGBTI+ points on a restricted foundation, however new rules limit overseas involvement. LGBTI+ people could have issue gaining employment in sure sectors of the civil service. The Ministry of Manpower doesn’t challenge dependent passes (work permits) to companions in lesbian and homosexual relationships, even when legally married in a foreign country. Evaluate the State Division’s webpage on safety for LGBTI+ vacationers.
Singapore has established a complete code of requirements for barrier-free accessibility, together with services for individuals with bodily disabilities, in all new buildings and has mandated the progressive upgrading of older constructions. The Ministry of Social and Household Growth (MSF) is liable for defending the rights of individuals with disabilities and implementing packages and providers within the incapacity sector. Evaluate the State Division’s webpage on safety for vacationers with disabilities.
Singapore doesn’t acknowledge twin nationality past the age of twenty-two, and strictly enforces common nationwide service for all male residents and everlasting residents.
The Singapore authorities continued to ban Jehovah’s Witness and the Unification Church. All written supplies revealed by the Worldwide Bible College students Affiliation and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, publishing arms of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, are likewise banned. Evaluate OSAC’s report, Freedom to Follow, and the State Division’s webpage on safety for faith-based vacationers.
Drug-related Crimes
Even minor drug use/possession will end result steep fines and imprisonment. Regardless of strict legal guidelines with extreme punishment, one can discover medication in Singapore. Methamphetamines, new psychoactive substances, and hashish are the highest three classes of medicine abused in Singapore. The variety of drug arrests in Singapore in 2019 elevated barely by 2%. There was an 8% improve in 2019 within the variety of new drug abuser arrests, 61% of these arrested being below the age of 30. Guests ought to concentrate on the extreme penalties for narcotics trafficking, as much as and together with the demise penalty and caning for even a small quantity of medicine. If the police have motive to consider a person has consumed medication, they’ve the correct to topic the particular person to a urine take a look at and/or hair take a look at. Failure to offer a urine or hair specimen will lead to a advantageous or imprisonment or each.
Incidents of victims unknowingly ingesting a drug that has been positioned of their drink often happen. People who determine to frequent bars and nightclubs ought to train vigilance with their drinks and shouldn’t settle for drinks from strangers.
It is usually unlawful to own, buy and use vaporizers in Singapore. This contains e-cigarettes, e-pipes, and e-cigars. Individuals discovered responsible can obtain fines of as much as SGD $2,000. Importing vaporizers by on-line purchasing or different means can carry steeper penalties, to incorporate imprisonment for as much as 12 months.
Kidnapping Risk
Kidnappings are unusual. There have solely been three confirmed circumstances of kidnapping for ransom within the final 13 years; authorities arrested and jailed for all times all perpetrators. The final kidnapping for ransom occurred in 2014, involving the mom of the CEO of a preferred grocery store chain. The sufferer was launched unhurt, and authorities recovered the ransom. The 2 suspects have been convicted and have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Kidnapping scams, during which a perpetrator calls a sufferer and advises him/her {that a} member of the household has been kidnapped and can be harmed except a ransom is paid, could also be extra more likely to happen than precise kidnappings. Evaluate OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Fundamentals.
Police Response
The emergency line in SINGAPORE is 999. Each district has a devoted neighborhood police heart. Any neighborhood police heart, not simply the district the place the crime came about, will usually settle for the submitting of a police report. The police response to crime is skilled and efficient. Authorities routinely maintain passports and forestall the departure of people who find themselves below police investigation for prison prices.
Orchard Highway Procuring District Police: + (65) 6733-0000
Central Enterprise District Police: + (65) 6334-0000
The Singapore Police Pressure (SPF) stresses the position of the personal sector and most people in successfully preventing each crime and terrorism. The SPF has established many outreach initiatives to assist the common citizen report crimes. A lower within the variety of motor vehicle-related thefts, for instance, could also be partly attributed to the Police Automobile on Watch (VOW) undertaking which makes use of the greater than 10,000 personal autos in over 800 automotive parks throughout Singapore function extra “eyes,” deterring crime, recording incidents, and offering essential leads for police investigations. Moreover, police use the [email protected] cellular utility and the net platform I-Witness to permit the general public to report details about prison exercise. Obtain the State Division’s Crime Victims Help brochure.
To counter the rising development of scams, the SPF launched the “Let’s Struggle Scams” marketing campaign, disseminated rip-off crime advisories to all Singapore households, and labored with key stakeholders in the neighborhood in extending outreach efforts to coach the general public in opposition to scams.
U.S. residents who’re arrested or detained ought to ask police or jail officers to instantly notify the U.S. Embassy. Discover extra data on the U.S. Embassy webpage. Authorities usually deal with stories involving police harassment promptly and in accordance with the prescribed rules.
Medical Emergencies
Healthcare providers are first-rate. Non-public residents from all over the world journey to Singapore for medical therapy. Most docs and hospital workers converse fluent English. Most hospitals have medical facilities with docs training all kinds of specialties.
Within the occasion of medical emergency, dial 995. Ambulance providers can be found throughout Singapore, although response occasions could fluctuate.
Discover contact data for out there medical providers and out there air ambulance providers on the Embassy’s Medical Help web page.
Singapore is taken into account a most well-liked regional medical evacuation vacation spot by the U.S. Division of State and the U.S. personal sector. Air ambulance providers offering evacuation providers from Singapore are usually not required.
Medical doctors and hospitals often anticipate quick, up-front fee for well being providers by bank card or money. U.S. medical health insurance is mostly not accepted. Suppliers could require a considerable deposit earlier than admitting sufferers for any main medical therapy. The U.S. Division of State strongly recommends buying worldwide medical health insurance earlier than touring internationally. Evaluate the State Division’s webpage on insurance coverage abroad.
Nation-specific Vaccination and Well being Steerage
Singapore sees outbreaks of widespread mosquito transmitted sicknesses similar to Dengue Fever. Vacationers have minimal danger from malaria; prophylactic Malaria medicines aren’t at the moment really useful. There are sporadic circumstances of Zika Virus reported in Singapore. Air air pollution from forest fires in neighboring international locations happens intermittently, often between July and October. Singapore’s Nationwide Environmental Company’s Haze offers public updates on circumstances.
The CDC gives extra data on vaccines and well being steering for Singapore. Evaluate OSAC’s stories, The Wholesome Approach, Touring with Remedy, I’m Ingesting What in My Water?, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Overseas, Well being 101: Learn how to Put together for Journey, and Fireplace Security Overseas
OSAC Nation Council Info
The OSAC Singapore Nation Council is lively and sturdy, as Singapore is the regional hub for a lot of U.S.-based organizations with operations all through Southeast Asia. private-sector safety managers ought to contact OSAC’s Asia-Pacific staff with any questions.
U.S. Embassy Contact Info
27 Napier Highway, Singapore 258508
Hours: Mon-Fri, 0830-1200; Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, 1330-1500
Web site: http://sg.usembassy.gov
Embassy Operator and after hour emergencies: + (65) 6476-9100
Useful Info
Earlier than you journey, contemplate the next sources:
OSAC Threat Matrix
OSAC Vacationers Toolkit
State Division Traveler’s Guidelines
Sensible Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)