Increased security at Orchard Road and Gardens by the Bay over Christmas weekend

SINGAPORE - There will be greater police presence and increased checks on bags and personal belongings during this festive period, especially on Christmas Eve on Saturday (Dec 24) and Christmas Day on Sunday (Dec 25).

Police officers, auxiliary police officers, and security officers will be deployed for crowd control, alongside officers from the Protective Security Command and Emergency Response Teams, the police said in a news release on Monday (Dec 19).

Women are also advised to be vigilant against molesters. The police warned of previous incidents where individuals sprayed foam into victims' eyes before committing molest.

The public is advised to cooperate with security personnel during checks, and to be considerate to others and not engage in activities that may cause annoyance or compromise other people's safety.

As large crowds are expected in Orchard Road and Gardens by the Bay, plan for slow traffic when leaving the area.

Crowd control barricades and direction signs will be in place, and the public is advised to be patient and cooperate with the instructions of security personnel.

The public is also reminded to play their part and remain vigilant against crime.

Simple crime prevention measures include looking after personal belongings at all times; staying close to friends or moving around in groups, being cautious of strangers when approached, and avoiding contact with unruly crowds.

Any suspicious persons and activities should be reported to the Internal Security Department (1800-2626-473), to the police by calling 999 or sending a text message to 71999, if it is unsafe to talk.

You can also approach any police officer or dial 999 for urgent assistance.

Download the SGSecure App from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store to provide information to the authorities.