The overall crime situation in Singapore improved last year with the crime rate falling to an all-time low, as the police force rolled out a string of initiatives to put more officers on patrol.

Last year, the police handled 30,868 cases - or 2 per cent fewer cases - compared to the 31,508 in 2011.

The crime rate, which takes into consideration Singapore's population, had also fell to 581 per 100,000 people last year, from 608 per 100,000 people in 2011.

This number is the lowest in 29 years, said the police during the release of its annual criem briefing on Wednesday morning.

Among the six categories captured by the police statistics five - housebreaking and related crimes, violent property crimes, commercial crimes, crimes against persons and miscellaneous crimes - had shown an improvement from the previous years.

But theft and related crimes increased with more bicycles being stolen last year.

Police director of public affairs, assistant commissioner Ng Guat Ting said community support and public vigilance had played a part in reducing crime here.