Outrage of modesty cases along Clarke Quay on the rise

SINGAPORE: Police are stepping up patrol along Clarke Quay, as a result of an increase in outrage of modesty cases along the entertainment strip.

Channel NewsAsia understands most cases happen between 4 and 6am, when entertainment outlets are about to close and when patrons are hanging about intoxicated.

On one such patrol where Channel NewsAsia tagged along, there were two incidents of alleged outrage of modesty.

One involved a woman who claimed to have been touched by someone, who was allegedly involved in other molest cases.

The other involved a man who was assaulted by a passer—by, for having allegedly molested a woman.

Investigations into both cases are ongoing.

Police said Clarke Quay has seen an average of five outrage of modesty cases every month, this year — up from an average of four a month, last year.

The number of theft cases has also been on the rise, with most occurring when victims are intoxicated and asleep.

DSP Cheryl Lee from Orchard Neighbourhood Police Centre said: "What we’ve done is actually increase our uniform presence on the ground, and also increase enforcement rounds. And we’ve been working with the Clarke Quay management to improve the security of Clarke Quay premises, such as increasing the number of security officers, and also working with the public entertainment outlets in terms of how to better minimise the undesirable incidents."

— CNA/ck