Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, launched the Restaurant Industry Safety and Security Watch Group (iSSWG) on 8 July 2025 (Tuesday), at the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre.
The Restaurant iSSWG is the 10th iSSWG since the framework was first introduced in 2008. Incidents overseas have shown that terrorists often target crowded public places such as restaurants, underscoring the importance of vigilance in such settings. As a major food hub and tourist destination, Singapore’s vibrant restaurant industry must be vigilant to potential safety and security threats.
The Restaurant iSSWG therefore creates valuable opportunities for SPF and restaurant operators to co-create a safe dining experience. Beyond raising awareness on potential crime and security threats, the platform facilitates sharing of crime and scam advisories with operators. It aims to:
- Encourage the restaurant industry to take the lead in promoting and developing safety and security measures within the industry;
- Be a springboard between the SPF and the restaurant industry to promote regular and timely sharing of relevant crime and security advisories with members of the restaurant industry. This could be information relating to the latest crime trends affecting the industry, measures to enhance the safety and security of restaurant members and consumers and to report suspicious observations to the relevant authorities; and
- Establish engagement platforms such as brown bag sessions for cross-sharing of knowledge, expertise, and best practices to enhance members’ knowledge of issues concerning them and strengthen the level of emergency preparedness and crime prevention awareness for both operators and patrons.
Presentation of Outstanding Community Partnership Award (OCPA)
SMS Sim Ann also presented Outstanding Community Partnership Awards (OCPA) to 40 stakeholders for their commitment in keeping their industry safe and secure (please refer to Annex A for the list of recipients). The OCPA are presented to exemplary community partners, who have been nominated by the various SPF units in recognition for their strong collaboration towards the fight against crime, and enhancing their security processes to counter the threat of terrorism and ensuring emergency preparedness.
Among the 40 award recipients are Mummy Yummy, which has expanded its community outreach to include scam prevention awareness alongside its existing social services, and BreadTalk Group Pte Ltd, which has implemented table stickers with anti-scam advisories at its food court outlets.
Mr Andrew Chan, Vice President of the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS) and owner of The Soup Spoon Pte Ltd said, “As restaurateurs, ensuring the safety and security of our diners and employees is a shared responsibility that we must all take seriously. The launch of the Restaurant Industry Safety and Security Watch Group represents a significant step towards fostering collaboration between the F&B community and law enforcement, allowing us to create a safer environment where businesses can thrive, and customers feel reassured."
Director of the Community Partnership Department, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Sherrin Chua said, “The Police will continue to reinforce our commitment to maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders from the restaurant industry, recognising their vital contribution to Singapore's safety and security landscape. Our partnership with the restaurant industry goes beyond traditional policing. Through initiatives such as brown bag sessions, stakeholders and their employees will be equipped with practical skills in crime and scam prevention, and emergency preparedness. We can build a stronger and safer Singapore by equipping our restaurant industry partners with essential safety and security knowledge.”
More information on the background of iSSWG and selected award recipients can be found in Annex B.
SMS Sim Ann giving an opening speech at the launch of the Restaurant ISSWG ▼
From left to right: Mr Andrew Chan, DCP Lian Ghim Hua, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), SMS Sim Ann, AC Sherrin Chua ▼
SMS Sim Ann with an award recipient, Mr Chan Guo Xiong, General Manager of Mummy Yummy ▼
SMS Sim Ann with the award recipients and all the guests at the launch of the Restaurant ISSWG ▼
SMS Sim Ann engaging with the stakeholders at the launch of the Restaurant ISSWG ▼
Annex A
Outstanding Community Partnership Award Recipient List*
*In alphabetical order and in no order of merit
Annex B
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
08 July 2025 @ 5:50 PM