SINGAPORE - Eight people allegedly found to be engaged in a "settlement talk" in Hougang were arrested on Wednesday evening (Jan 31), with police officers calling themselves the only "gang and big brother" in the estate in a tongue-in-cheek Facebook post.

The Hougang neighbourhood police centre (NPC) said on Facebook on Thursday that residents had been concerned about a possible fight involving a group of people in the vicinity of Hougang Avenue 9 on Wednesday evening.

When officers arrived, they found evidence of a "settlement talk", which is often carried out between gang members.

A photo of the scene shows policemen rounding up the eight suspects at a Housing Board void deck.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, the police said that five men and three women, aged between 17 and 25, were arrested for being part of an unlawful assembly at the void deck of Block 956, Hougang Street 91.

In the post, the Hougang NPC said that they will not tolerate a blatant disregard of the law. Swift action will be taken against such "anti-social and criminal behaviour", they added.

Borrowing a phrase commonly heard among gang members, they declared that they were the only "gang and big brother" in the neighbourhood.

Their cheeky comment tickled many netizens, with the post receiving over 600 comments within a day. It has also been shared more than 3,200 times.

"We will never allow anyone to disrupt the peace and serenity within our neighbourhood and estate," said the Hougang NPC, which has been known for creating a buzz with its social media posts.

Police investigations are ongoing.