The police arrested a 41-year-old man on Sunday morning on suspicion of housebreaking, after he was found reaching through a corridor window of a housing unit.

At about 9.45am, officers from the Clementi Police Division were on patrol near Commonwealth Drive when a 54-year-old man told them that he had spotted someone loitering suspiciously at the housing estate and gave them a description of the person. At around 10.30am, the officers spotted the suspect stretching his hand through a corridor window.

Two mobile phones, one portable mobile phone charger, three bank cards and one EZ-link card were recovered from him. If convicted, he may face a jail term of up to 10 years.

The Commander of Clementi Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commisioner of Police Melvin Yong, encouraged homeowners and tenants to play an active role in securing and safeguarding their premises, such as by having strong grilles and good locks on main doors and windows, the police said in a media release.

The police also advised residents to adopt the following crime prevention measures:

- Make sure that all doors, windows and other openings are properly secured with strong grilles and good quality close-shackled locks. Change the lock promptly if the key is lost or stolen;

- Secure all doors and window grilles before retiring to bed or when leaving your home unattended, even for a short while;

- Do not leave large sums of cash in your premises. Jewellery and valuable items should be kept in a bank or a good quality safe;

- Avoid leaving valuables such as wallets, bags, cash, mobile phones, and laptops near the window along the common corridor;

- If going away for a prolonged period, suspend the newspaper subscription and arrange for someone to clear mails and check on your home regularly.