Crimes against women recorded an increase of 7 percent and crimes against children recorded a 10 percent rise in February this year while the overall crime rate has increased by 14 percent compared to February last year.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Juki Fong Chew says with most of the incidents occurring within domestic settings, holistic concerted efforts are needed to address the root causes of the serious crimes.
Chew says a total of 218 cases against women were recorded, whereby 33 percent of these cases were committed in the domestic setting and were committed by spouses or their partners.
Of these cases, 11 percent were sexual offences while 89 percent were assault-related offences.
He says 155 women victims were aged between 18 to 38 years and 46 were aged between 39 to 59 years and 17 were over 60 years.
He adds they are also worried about the increase in crimes against children by 10 percent, with 16 percent of the incidents reported in a domestic setting perpetrated by parents and relatives.
The Acting Commissioner says rape offences also increased from 11 in February 2023 to 20 for the same period this year.
Indecent assault increased from 7 to 11 cases, Incest offences increased from 0 to 4 cases, and common assault increased from 6 to 10 cases.
He says of the 115 child victims, 72 are girls and 43 boys.
47 percent of the 115 cases were sexual offences with 44 percent being assault-related and the remaining nine percent being from other offences.
ACP Chew says the increase in the two cases as well as the 75 percent increase in drug-related offences had contributed to the overall increase in crime by 14 percent.
