Crime rates static over past year, statistics reveal

PARLIAMENT Despite the government’s claim that violent crimes have risen in the country to warrant the introduction of the Prevention of Crime (PCA) Act amendments earlier this month, crime statistics produced by the Home Ministry showed no significant increase in violent crimes from last year till September this year.

In fact, the overall crime rates in the country have decreased from 153,669 cases last year to only 111,020 cases till September this year.

There were 29,950 violent crimes in 2012 compared to 22,357 this year till September. This comes up to a similar average, coming to 2,484 cases a month this year compared to 2,454 cases a month last year.

The figures were given by the ministry in a written answer to Er Teck Hwa (DAP-Bakri) yesterday.

Serious crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and armed robbery with companions all saw a reduction this year or stayed the same compared to last year.

Armed robberies remained at 17 cases, while armed robberies with companions decreased from 110 cases to 78 cases this year. Murders decreased from 602 cases last year to 478 cases so far this year.

The statistics for crime on 2013 also reflected a continued reduction in overall crime rates since 2008. 

Overall crime rates have reduced by at least 40 percent since 2008. The total crime index in 2008 stood at 211,645 cases.