The Police have arrested 83 women and three men, aged between 22 and 54, for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities.
In a two-month operation that ended on 31 October 2021, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and seven Police Land Divisions conducted coordinated raids at multiple locations islandwide, including condominiums, hotels and residential units in Ang Mo Kio, Balestier, Bukit Batok, Geylang, Guillemard, Kreta Ayer, Selegie, Orchard, Outram, Queenstown, Toa Payoh, and Upper Serangoon.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Any person who knowingly solicits, receives or agrees to receive any gratification as an inducement or reward for providing any service, and who by providing that service does or will aid the prostitution of another person (being a woman or girl), shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000. Any male person who is convicted of a second or subsequent offence shall, in addition to any term of imprisonment imposed in respect of such offence, be liable to caning.
Additionally, under the Housing and Development Board’s (HDB) Terms and Conditions, HDB flat owners are responsible for conducting regular checks to ensure that their tenants do not misuse the flat, further rent out any part of the flat, or create nuisance to their neighbours. HDB takes a serious view of flat owners and tenants who violate such conditions, particularly if the flat is misused for vice activities, and will not hesitate to take the appropriate action against them.
All property owners or the agent of an owner of a place who knowingly rent their premises to any person for vice-related activities will be prosecuted under the Women’s Charter and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, they shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $150,000, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or both.
All property owners have a responsibility to ensure that such illicit activities do not take place in their properties. They should exercise vigilance and look out for suspicious or dubious tenants. This includes verifying the identity of a prospective tenant and his/her purpose of the tenancy, before entering into a tenancy agreement or allowing the prospective tenant to start occupying the apartment. This can be done by:
- Personally inspecting the prospective tenant’s documents of identity; and
- Having a face-to-face interview with them.
The Police will continue to work with members of the public on the information submitted regarding vice activities and will take tough enforcement action against those involved in such activities.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
11 November 2021 @ 6:50 PM