The Police have arrested three male teenagers, aged between 16 and 18, for their suspected involvement in a case of public nuisance.
On 14 March 2020, the Police received a report that a male victim was at the ground floor of a shopping mall along Victoria Street when spittle falling from a higher floor of the shopping mall landed on him. Preliminary investigations revealed that the three male teenagers had spit over the railing at level 5 of the shopping mall on 12 March 2020, sometime after 5pm. The incident had caused alarm and annoyance to the victim, and happened at a time when Singapore is dealing with the COVID-19 situation, and infections can spread indirectly through contaminated surfaces.
Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from CCTVs, officers from Central Police Division established the identities of the three male teenagers and arrested them on 17 March 2020. Police investigations are ongoing.
The offence of public nuisance under Section 290 of the Penal Code carries a fine which may extend to $2,000. If the act will cause or will probably cause any common injury, danger or annoyance to the public, or to the people in general who dwell or occupy property in the vicinity, it carries an imprisonment term which may extend to three months, or a fine which may extend to $2,000, or both.
The Police take a serious view of such inconsiderate and irresponsible behaviour, especially in the current COVID-19 situation. Everyone needs to play their part by observing good personal hygiene and being socially responsible.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
18 March 2020 @ 4:20 PM