The Police have arrested 83 women and a man, aged between 26 and 54, for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities.
In a 31-day operation that ended on 31 March 2021, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the seven Police Land Divisions conducted coordinated raids at multiple locations island-wide, including condominiums, hotels and residential units along Beach Road, Bukit Batok Street 41, Guillemard Road, Jalan Dusun, Joo Chiat Road, Jurong East Street 32, Jurong West Street 65, Jurong West Street 93, Kellock Road, Kitchener Link, Kovan Road, Lorong 20 Geylang, Mackenzie Road, Meyappa Chettiar Road, Orchard Road, Race Course Lane, Race Course Road, Rangoon Road, Sembawang Road, Serangoon Road, Tanjong Pagar Road, Upper Boon Keng Road, Upper Serangoon Road, Woodlands Drive 70 and Zion Road.
Police investigations are ongoing.
The Police will take firm action against those found acting as agents or pimps for vice activities. Under the Women’s Charter, 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 a fine not exceeding $100,000. Repeat offenders shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years and a fine not exceeding $100,000, in addition to any term of imprisonment or caning imposed in respect of such offence.
All property owners also 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.
Tenants who sublet their private property should adopt similar checks before they sublet the property as well. Flat 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, imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $150,000, jailed up to seven years, or both.
Additionally, under the Housing and Development Board’s (HDB’s) 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.
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
09 April 2021 @ 10:55 AM