SINGAPORE - Eight men were charged in court on Monday (Oct 23) with outrage of modesty.

They are accused of being involved in different cases between January and June.

The men are: Saha Sweet Kuamar, 25; Ang Boon Chye, 29; Dadyala Balwinder Singh, 30; Muhammad Ruzaini Johari, 31; Jagjit Singh, 32; Wong Teck Guan, 35; Affendi Mohamed Noor, 53; and Lee Yoke Weng, 68.

Their cases have been adjourned to next month.

In a media release on Sunday, police said there has been a jump in outrage of modesty cases in the first nine months of this year.

There were 1,168 reported cases from January to September - an increase of 194 cases, or 19.9 per cent, from the same period last year.

The police also said that of the cases in the first nine months of this year, 152 were committed on public transport - a jump of 49 per cent.

Seventy-six were carried out at public entertainment outlets - an increase of 24.6 per cent over the first nine months of last year.

Police said: "Patrols are conducted in public transport areas by officers from the public transport security command to project police presence and deter outrage of modesty cases.

"In addition, the police also actively disseminate crime prevention advice to commuters and these are done through posters, videos and crime prevention roadshows in areas such as trains, train stations and bus interchanges."

The police have also advised members of the public to be aware of their surroundings and to keep a lookout for any suspicious individuals.

They added: "Avoid walking through dimly lit and secluded places or taking the lift with a stranger. When patronising public entertainment outlets or taking public transport, be alert and attentive to your surroundings. Where possible, move away if someone stands or sits exceptionally close to you."

Offenders convicted of outrage of modesty can be jailed for up to two years and fined or caned.