Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Singapore Reports More Molestation, Home Theft And Shoplifting Cases
Singapore’s overall physical crime level stayed stable and fell slightly in the first half of 2026.
However, some specific crimes became more common.
Thefts from homes rose by about one-quarter.
Police said thieves often found belongings that were unsecured or unattended.
Many residential thefts involved people who could enter or knew the homes.
Molestation cases also increased, and more than half involved someone the victim knew.
Shoplifting went up as well, especially for food, personal-care products, alcohol and clothing items.
Robbery and snatch theft remained comparatively uncommon.
Police identified molestation, shop theft and theft in dwellings as the main concerns.
Singapore recorded 10,325 physical crime cases in the first half of 2026, a 0.4% decline from the same period in 2025.
Residential theft-in-dwelling cases rose 25.1%, from 367 to 450 cases.
Molestation cases increased 3.1% to 762, with more than half involving offenders known to victims.
Shop theft rose 2.2% to 2,095 cases, making up about 20.4% of physical crime.
Robbery and snatch theft remained low, with 12 and nine cases respectively.
- Who
- Singapore police reported the figures, covering people affected by theft, molestation and shop theft.
- What
- Overall physical crime declined slightly, while residential theft, molestation and shop theft increased.
- When
- January through June 2026, compared with the first half of 2025.
- Where
- Across Singapore, including residential premises, public transport and public entertainment outlets.
- Why
- Police said thefts often occurred when belongings were unsecured or unattended; many residential cases involved people familiar with or able to access the premises.
Police assessment
Crime concerns
Overall crime situation
Police assessment
Police described Singapore’s physical crime situation as stable, with total cases declining slightly.
Crime concerns
The increase in several prominent categories means residents still face concerns despite the overall decline.
Residential theft causes
Police assessment
Police attributed many cases to belongings being left unsecured or unattended and to offenders familiar with or able to access premises.
Crime concerns
The concentration of cases involving people with access to homes highlights risks from individuals known to victims or familiar with the premises.
- Total physical crime
- 10,325 cases in the first half of 2026, down 0.4% from the same period in 2025.
- Residential theft
- 450 cases, up 25.1% from 367 cases in the first half of 2025.
- All theft-in-dwelling cases
- 730 cases across all premises, up 0.6% from 726.
- Molestation
- 762 cases, up 3.1% from 739 and about 7.4% of physical crime.
- Shop theft
- 2,095 cases, up 2.2% from 2,050 and about 20.4% of physical crime.
- Robbery and snatch theft
- 12 robbery cases and nine snatch-theft cases were recorded.
- Public transport molestation
- 60 cases, down from 84; cases involving unknown offenders fell from 74 to 55.