HAWKERS at two food centres in the Kallang area are at the end of their tether, having been the victims of numerous break-ins over the last four years.

Nine out of 16 stalls at the Kallang Estate Market off Old Airport Road were burgled over two consecutive days last week. In many cases, spare change was taken or stalls ransacked, even though there was nothing of value to steal.

At a nearby food centre in Aljunied Avenue 2, 10 out of 30 stalls were broken into last month.

It was at least the third time that these two markets had been burgled. The problem? The units are open at the top, leaving them exposed to thieves.

At both markets, none of the stalls had their roller shutters and locks tampered with. The thieves got in through the open ceilings, getting a leg up on the pipes or metal bars running along the walls.

They are so blatant that they sometimes leave footprints and handprints on the walls as well as all over the floors and countertops. Pots are strewn all over the floor, with their contents spilt, and drawers left open.

When Madam Chen, a hawker in her 30s, took over a drinks stall at the Kallang market last November, she had metal bars installed over the front to give some protection to the money and cigarettes she keeps inside.

It had cost her nearly $7,000, but it did no good - the thieves still managed to make off with more than $100 in spare change last week.

The burglars got the money by tying raffia string to a basket and lowering it into the stall. They used a broom to sweep the coins from an open container into the basket, which they then hoisted.

Madam Chen came to work the next day to find coins scattered on the floor, and the broom and basket with the raffia still attached discarded behind her stall.

Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.

gohyh@sph.com.sg

kimspyke@sph.com.sg