The Singapore Police Force (SPF) are investigating an alleged false report of a bomb at a McDonald’s outlet in Yishun last week.
They said that they received an alert about a bomb threat on Thursday at about 10,25pm at a McDonald’s outlet at Block 846 Yishun Ring Road.
But following security checks at the premises, the police found no such “threat items”, and are investigating the alleged bomb hoax.
The police added that they take all security threats seriously and will investigate those who intentionally cause public harm.
They said that they are investigating this incident as a case of communicating false information about something harmful.
According to Shin Min Daily News, a 40-year-old food delivery rider, Mr Chuo, was on his way to pick up an order from the McDonald’s outlet at the time when he noticed the police at the scene appearing to be looking for something.
He said that the customers were not allowed to dine in at the outlet and could only order takeaways, and when he asked the workers at the outlet, they couldn’t tell him what was going on.
Persons found guilty of communicating false information about a bomb threat face a jail term of up to 7 years and/or a fine of up to $50,000.
Bomb hoaxes
Bomb hoaxes are a serious issue that can cause significant harm to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. A bomb hoax is a false threat of an explosive device being present, which can lead to panic, evacuations, and law enforcement responses.
Although bomb hoaxes may seem like harmless pranks, they can have severe consequences, including injuries, property damage, and emotional trauma.
The first danger of bomb hoaxes is that they can create chaos and panic. When individuals receive a bomb threat, they may feel scared, anxious, and uncertain about their safety.
In many cases, bomb hoaxes result in evacuations of buildings, which can disrupt the lives of thousands of people. The chaos and disruption caused by bomb hoaxes can also impact emergency services, such as firefighters and paramedics, who may be delayed in responding to actual emergencies.
Another danger of bomb hoaxes is that they can lead to injuries and property damage. When buildings are evacuated due to bomb threats, people may become disoriented and rush to exit the building, resulting in falls, trampling, and other injuries.
Additionally, if law enforcement or bomb squads need to search the premises, they may use specialized equipment or explosives to gain access, which can damage property.
Bomb hoaxes can also have long-term consequences. Individuals who have been victims of bomb hoaxes may experience emotional trauma, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. They may struggle to trust others or feel safe in public spaces, impacting their quality of life.
Additionally, organizations that have been the target of bomb hoaxes may experience reputational damage, affecting their ability to attract customers, investors, and partners.
Bomb hoaxes can divert law enforcement resources from other critical activities. When law enforcement receives a bomb threat, they must take it seriously and devote significant resources to investigate and respond.
This may include evacuating buildings, searching for explosive devices, and analyzing potential suspects. These efforts require time, money, and expertise, which could be used to address other critical public safety issues.