Bicycle and dwelling thefts on the rise

3.3% increase a blemish in what was otherwise a solid crimefighting 1H12.

A total of 2.3% less crimes or only 15,576 cases were reported in 1H12, according to the Singapore Police Force. All types of crime decreased compared to the previous half-year, except for theft, which surged on the back of increased bicyle and dwelling thefts.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) reports that in the first six-months of 2012, overall crime reported fell by 2.3% to 15,576 cases as compared to 15,944 cases over the same period last year.

Five of the six crime classes registered decreases. They are namely: Housebreaking and Related Crimes (-22%), Violent Property Crimes (-21.5%), Commercial Crimes (-16.6%), Crimes Against Persons (-6.9%) and Miscellaneous Crimes (-2.6%).

The only crime class which registered an increase was Theft and Related Crimes, which increased by 3.3%, mainly due to increases in cases of theft of bicycles and theft in dwelling, SPF said, noting though that improvements were seen in unlicensed moneylending and phone scams, both of which were concerns highlighted for 2011.