Juvenile Delinquents by Gender since 2013

16 Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked the Minister for Home Affairs in respect of annual statistics for juvenile delinquents since 2013 and by gender (a) what are the five main categories of crimes committed; (b) what are the distributions by age groups (below 13, 13-14, 15-16, above 16); and (c) what are the distributions by racial groups.

Mr K Shanmugam: The youth crime situation in Singapore is under control. The number of youth offenders arrested has gone down in the past decade by about 35%, from 4,280 in 2006 to 2,788 in 2016.

Shop theft, bicycle theft, other forms of theft, rioting and sexual penetration of minor under 16 years old were the most common offences.

The age and gender distribution of youth offenders from 2013 to June 2017 is in the table below.

There is an over-representation of minority races among youth offenders. The Police work with self-help and community groups, including the Council on Education for Muslim Children (Yayasan MENDAKI) and Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), to address these concerns.

Indeed, youth crime is a multifaceted problem that requires a multi-agency approach for effective and lasting results. Educational institutions, other law enforcement agencies, the social services sector and parents all have a role to play. The Police will continue to work with relevant stakeholders and partners to keep our youths away from crime.