Large crowds are expected in the vicinity of Orchard Road and Gardens by the Bay during this festive period, especially on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (24 December and 25 December 2016).
To ensure the safety and security of the public, Police officers, Auxiliary Police officers, and security officers will be deployed for crowd control. Officers from the Protective Security Command and Emergency Response Teams will also be deployed alongside officers from the Police Divisions during this period.
For security reasons, bags and personal items may be subjected to checks. The public is advised to cooperate with security personnel to facilitate these checks.
Women are also advised to be vigilant against opportunists who may commit molest. There were previous incidents where individuals sprayed foam into victims’ eyes before committing molest.
The public is also reminded to be considerate to others and avoid engaging in activities that may cause annoyance or compromise the safety of others. The Police will not hesitate to take action against any person who commits crime or creates a nuisance to the general public.
Dispersal is likely to be slow due to large crowds. Crowd control barricades and direction signs will be put up to facilitate safe and orderly dispersal. The public is advised to exercise patience and cooperate with the instructions given by security personnel.
While the Police have put in place enhanced security measures for the Christmas celebrations, every member of the public has a critical role to play in ensuring the safety and security of Singapore. The Police remind the public to remain vigilant against crime and adopt the following crime prevention measures:
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Look after your belongings at all times;
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Be cautious of strangers when approached;
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Stay close to your friends or move around in groups;
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Avoid contact with unruly crowds;
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Report any suspicious persons and activities to the Police by calling 999 or SMS to 71999 if it is unsafe to talk; and
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Approach any Police officer deployed or dial ‘999’ for urgent assistance.
As we enjoy the festivities, we urge everyone to #StayAlert, #StayUnited and #StayStrong in our fight against crime and terrorism. Please report suspicious persons and activities to the Internal Security Department (1800-2626-473) or the Police (999). Members of the public can also download the SGSecure App from Google Play Store or the Apple App Store to provide information to the authorities.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
19 December 2016 @ 10:00 AM