MAN ARRESTED FOR OUTRAGE OF MODESTY WITHIN THREE HOURS AT TUAS CHECKPOINT

The Police have arrested a 24-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of outrage of modesty.

On 5 July 2023 at about 7.20pm, the Police received a call for assistance from a 33-year-old female victim informing that an unknown man had allegedly molested her in the vicinity of Bedok North Street 1.

Through ground enquiries, close coordination with the Police Operations Command Centre, and with the aid of Police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division swiftly established the identity of the man. With the assistance of officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the Police arrested the man within three hours of the report at Tuas Checkpoint before he could depart Singapore. The swift arrest was made possible by the strong inter-agency cooperation between the Police and ICA.

Police investigations on the man are ongoing for the offence of outrage of modesty under Section 354(1) of the Penal Code 1871. The offence of outrage of modesty carries an imprisonment term of up to 3 years, or with fine, or with caning, or with any combination of such punishments.

The Police have zero tolerance towards sexual offenders who threaten the personal safety of the community, and offenders will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law. The Police would also like to urge members of the public to remain vigilant, and if they witness an incident of outrage of modesty, or are aware of someone being a victim of outrage of modesty, to report the matter to the Police immediately.

Safeguarding Singapore’s borders is ICA’s top priority. ICA will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to detect undesirables and keep Singapore safe.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
IMMIGRATION AND CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
07 July 2023 @ 3:20 PM

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

Police would like to share some steps you can take to keep yourself and all our loved ones safe.

1. Be alert and attentive to your surroundings, especially when you are in a crowded and confined space (i.e. in public entertainment night spots, in lifts, MRT, buses etc.) or alone with a stranger that moves very near to you.
   
2. If someone rushes into the lift at the last minute and you are alone, it is safer to step out and take the next one.
   
3. If someone is following you, head to a crowded area; if someone moves uncomfortably close to you (e.g. someone deliberately stands or sits close to you in a bus or MRT), move away if possible.
   
4. Avoid going out at night alone. If you have to, go out in a group or get someone (parent, close friend) to accompany you.
   
5. Avoid letting your young children wander around alone, teach them to be wary and move away from strangers who try to get close to or touch them.
   
6. Consider investing in a shrill alarm for you and your loved ones as they can come in handy to sound for help during emergencies.