SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has assured Singaporeans that the country remains one of the safest cities in the world.

In a press release on Wednesday (Feb 10) summarising Singapore's safety and security situation in 2015, MHA said law and order in the country continued to be favourable.

Although there was a slight increase in crime from the previous year due to a sharp rise in online crime - a trend since 2013 - almost all other crime classes registered a fall.

For instance, housebreaking and related crimes dropped to their lowest levels in 20 years, while the number of unlicensed moneylending harrassment cases continued to decline.

The drug situation was also stable and there was a decrease in fire incidents, with fire fatalities remaining low. On the road safety front, the drop in fatalities from road traffic accidents was tempered by a slight increase in the number of injuries.

MHA, however, highlighted four trends of concern: the spike in online crime; a continued rise in new drug abusers especially those aged 30; an increase in the number of arrested harbourers and employers of immigration offenders; as well as how the unauthorised change of use of premises and illegal fire safety works continue to cause the highest number of fire safety violations.

It also warned that Singapore still faces various threats, chief among them terrorism.

The Home Team is ready to respond decisively in the event of a terrorist attack, MHA said, but the public also plays a major role by being alert to potential dangers and warning signs of terrorism.

"We must stay united if a terrorist attack were to happen, and be able to recover as one people," MHA added.