Police flag outrage of modesty and dormitory theft as key concerns
Singapore recorded a rise in molestation cases in 2025, contributing to a broader increase in physical crime even as some other offences such as shop theft and voyeurism declined.
Physical Crime Sees Overall Increase
The Singapore Police Force reported 20,857 physical crime cases in 2025, a 4.4 percent increase from 19,969 in 2024. Outrage of modesty and theft in dwelling were flagged as top crimes of concern.
Molestation cases rose by 7.3 percent, from 1,427 in 2024 to 1,531 in 2025, accounting for about 7.3 percent of total physical crimes. More than half of these cases involved offenders known to the victims.
Where Molestation Cases Occurred
Residential premises recorded the highest number of molestation cases at 372, followed by public transport with 164 cases and public entertainment outlets with 115 cases. Cases in shopping complexes fell to 103, down from 135 the previous year.
Police said they continue working with public transport operators and stakeholders to raise awareness and conduct joint patrols. Members of the public are urged to report incidents promptly and provide details that may assist investigations.
Dormitory Theft on the Rise
Theft in dwelling cases fell slightly by 0.9 percent to 1,500 cases in 2025, but incidents in foreign worker dormitories increased sharply by 57.4 percent, rising from 54 cases in 2024 to 85 cases last year.
Most dormitory cases involved roommates stealing personal items while victims were asleep or distracted. Police said they will continue outreach and crime prevention education in dormitories to address the issue.
Shop Theft and Youth Offenders
Shop theft cases decreased by 3 percent to 4,109 cases in 2025, though they still made up nearly one-fifth of total physical crimes. Police arrested 578 youths aged 10 to 19 for shop theft last year.
The majority of stolen items were valued under S$50 and included food, beverages, personal care products, alcoholic drinks, apparel and accessories. Authorities credited the Shop Theft Awareness for Retailers programme, which has more than 1,100 participating outlets, for the improvement. Some retailers are exploring artificial intelligence tools to detect suspicious behavior.
Decline in Voyeurism and Other Violent Crimes
Voyeurism cases fell by 6.4 percent from 519 in 2024 to 486 in 2025. Most incidents occurred in residential premises, shopping complexes and on public transport, often involving offenders known to the victims.
Seven murder cases were recorded in 2025, down from 10 in 2024. Knife-related crimes remained relatively stable at 137 incidents. Housebreaking cases declined by 8.5 percent to 108 cases, with nearly half occurring in residential properties.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Leon Chan said crime in Singapore remains under control and emphasized continued collaboration between authorities, stakeholders and the public to maintain safety.
While certain categories such as shop theft and voyeurism showed improvement, the rise in molestation cases and dormitory theft underscores evolving social challenges. Singapore’s crime trends remain closely watched across the region, including by neighboring Indonesia, as both countries prioritize public safety and urban security in densely populated environments.
Sources: CNA (2026) , Straits Times (2026)
Keywords: Molestation Cases 2025, SPF Annual Report, Physical Crime Singapore, Dormitory Theft Cases, Voyeurism Statistics
