Crime Prevention

Robbery

Can result in:

• Physical harm
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of property

Robbery in Premises

Some methods that criminals use:

1. Entering or forcing through unsecured doors or other entrances
2. Waiting for victim to leave the premises and then forcing his way in together with the victim
3. Impersonating as a public servant or door-to-door salesman
4. Entering the premises on the pretext of delivering goods or hampers, using the toilet or telephone and viewing the premises in response to a newspaper advertisement for rental or sale

Prevention

• Have grille gates padlocked so culprit cannot rush or force his way in when door is opened. Always deal with strangers through a locked grille gate.
• Never open doors to strangers. Use door viewer to look at the strangers' face. Talk to stranger with chain latch/door limiter fastened.
• Verify the identity of stranger using criminal method 3(please look above). Call his/her organisation through the number obtained from your telephone directory. Don't use the number the stranger gives you.
• Inform family members in advance if someone unknown is being sent to the house.

Lift robbery

Some methods criminal use:

1. Loitering at lift landings or void decks to ambush the victim while he/she is confined in it.
2. Entering the lift as the lift door is closing and robbing the victim when he/she is confined in it.

Prevention:

• Be wary of strangers loitering at lift landings or void decks
• If you return home late, arrange for a relative or friend to escort you home
• Stand beside lift control panel when taking lift alone. Press "Door Open" button to exit if any stranger rushes in. If not possible, exit at the next lift landing to use the staircase or wait for the next lift
• Avoid wearing excessive jewellery or carrying large sums of of cash when going out alone.

Street Robbery

Some methods criminal use:

1. Luring victims by claiming to be relative or friend, before bringing them to a secluded place to rob them of their valuables.
2. Accusing victims of staring, causing annoyance, or starting a quarrel, before bringing them to a secluded place to rob them of their valuables.
3. Using the pretext of asking for road directions, time, assistance, and taking the opportunity to rob you.
4. Directing the your attention to a foreign substance such as ketchup, mustard or ice-cream on your clothes and taking the opportunity to rob you.

Prevention:

• Avoid wearing excessive jewellery or carrying large sums of of cash when going out alone.
• Avoid dark, quiet and secluded places
• Avoid travelling alone and remain in a group, whenever possible.
• Children should not wear expensive watches, jewellery or carry large amounts of cash.

Preventions to take when confronted by a robber

• Remain calm.
• Note the description of the criminal
• Note the criminal's direction and mode of escape. Record vehicle registration number, colour and make of the vehicle.
• Call 999 or your nearest NPC immediately.

House Breaking

Some methods used by criminals:

1. Cutting padlocks & grilles
2. Forcing open windows, grille gates or doors
3. Gaining entry through the refuse chute, false ceilings or ventilations opening
4. Gaining entry through an unoccupied neighbouring house or shop
5. Gaining entry by using household tools left outside the house

Physical Protection Preventive Measures

• Install a door viewer, latch chain or door limiter on the main door
• Main doors should be of solid construction and fitted with a good quality mortise lock with a dead bolting feature
• Install iron grilles with good quality key-operated locks for windows
• Lock up any ladders, tools and equipment to prevent intruders from using them to access the house
• Trim overgrown tree branches, bushes and shrubs along the perimeter fencing regularly, to prevent intruders from using them to enter or hide in your compound
• Install lamps or sensor lamps to illuminate your compound to detect intruders.

Preventive Measures for sliding windows

• A wooden or metal strip can be fitted onto the upper window tracks to prevent them from being lifted up
• A metal strip can also be fitted on the outside of the lower window tracks to prevent the window from being lifted.
• Additional patio lock(s) can be installed to prevent horizontal and vertical movement.
• Install iron grilles with good quality key-operated locks for windows

Security measures

• Install Burglar Alarm Systems
• Lock all doors and windows when leaving home unattended, even for a short while
• Don't hide keys under doormat, in a flowerpot or on top of the electricity meter box outside the house
• Change all the locks when your house keys are lost or stolen
• Cancel all deliveries when you are away from home for a few days
• Don't leave notes outside of the house announcing your absence from home
• Keep large sums of money in bank and expensive jewellery in a safe deposit box
• Ask your immediate neighbours to keep an eye on your house while you are away. Inform the NPC of your absence
• Keep a lookout in your neighbourhood for any suspicious person(s) who is loitering. Don't hesitate to call NPC if your suspicion persists.

Motor Vehicle theft

Some methods used by criminals

1. Tampering with the doors and windows of the car
2. Tampering with the keyhole
3. Smashing the windows or windscreen

Preventive Measures:

• Lock all the vehicle doors and wind up all windows
• Do not leave keys in the ignition switch
• Park in well-lit areas
• Do not leave valuables such as laptop, mobilephone, briefcase or handbag visible in the vehicle
• Remove your cashcard from the In-Vehicle Unit(IU)
• Use Audible alarm systems
• Use Steering wheel locks
• Use Clutch and Brake locks
• Use Disc locks
• Use Gear locks
• Use smart keys with computer chips that must be present to start the vehicle
• Starter, ignition or fuel disables

Outrage Of Modesty (Preventive Measures)

Safety at your residence

• Always keep grille gates, doors and windows locked
• Install and use a door viewer, latch or door door limiter to the main door
• Always check the identity of a caller. In the case of service calls, ask for proper identification and verify it by contacting the person claims to be from. Don't let the person in if you feel uneasy.
• Never allow strangers into the house
• Never reveal being alone at home or information concerning family members to strangers

Safety in the Lift

• Never enter a lift with a stranger
• If alone in the lift, stand near the lift buttons. Press "Door Open" and exit if a stranger rushes in as the door is closing
• Let the stranger take the lift and wait for the next one
• When coming home late at night, ask a family member to wait at the bus stop, carpark or lift landing to escort you home

Safety on Public Transport

• Sit close to the aisle when using public transport
• Remain alert, don't nap or sleep while travelling
• Alert other passengers or seek help from the driver if someone is making you uncomfortable

Safety in Public Places

• Never take short cuts through dark, deserted places. Keep to well-lit areas where there are people and traffic
• Don't jog in secluded areas
• Always be alert and attentive to the surroundings. If you suspect that you are being followed, remain calm and proceed to the nearest open business premises, crowded area or call the Police to seek help
• When returning home late at night, arrange for a family member to wait at the bus stop, carpark or lift landing to escort you home.

Safety on the Internet Relay Chat(IRC)/Telephone Chatline

• Never agree to meet anyone you know through the IRC or telephone chatline in person. If there is a need, do so in a group and in a crowded place.
• Never reveal information about yourself and your family.
• Parents should warn children of the dangers of internet chat. They should also supervise their use of the internet and telephone. Subscribe to a call barring service to bar certain calls from being made.