Man drives over security guard’s foot at Balestier condo after being denied entry, says union

SINGAPORE — A police report has been filed against a man who allegedly drove over the foot of a female security guard at a condominium and verbally abused her as well.

This was revealed in a statement by the Union of Security Employees on Thursday (July 14) night. The incident was said to have happened on June 17.

The security agency that employed the guard, Ms Kavitha Sandresekeran, reported the incident to the union only after they saw last week’s news reports about a man who allegedly assaulted a security guard outside Giant hypermarket in Tampines.

In its statement on Thursday, the Union of Security Employees said that Ms Kavitha, a member of the union, was deployed at the guardpost at Skysuites 17 along Jalan Rajah in Balestier when she stopped a driver at the car entry barrier to check whether he was a visitor.

The driver sounded the car’s horn several times and insisted that he was a resident even though his vehicle did not have a transponder that registered vehicles of the condo should have. The transponder is an electronic device with which entry access cards are slotted in for use.

When Ms Kavitha tried to verify the driver’s identity, the man drove his car over her right foot and continued verbally abusing her, the union said.

It added that a police report was made and Ms Kavitha was taken to a hospital to undergo a medical check-up and an X-ray scan.

“Thankfully, the injury was minimal and Sister Kavitha is now fine and back at work,” the union said in its Facebook post.

“(The union) is determined to cast light on this incident as it is completely unacceptable for a motorist to attempt to use his vehicle to cause hurt to a female security officer.”

It also said that it will put in its “best efforts” to ensure “justice is served for Sister Kavitha in this case”.

The union said that there has been a rise in reported cases. Compared to nine reported cases of abuse last year, it has so far handled 21 cases this year through its customer service centre and mobile application. The app was launched to report abuse late last year.

In its statement, it encouraged security officers and the general public to report cases of abuse either through the union’s app, or to alert it on such cases via email at use [at] ntuc.org.sg.

In response to TODAY's queries, the police confirmed that a report had been lodged and that investigations are ongoing.

"The police take a stern view towards any abusive behaviour against security officers who are carrying out their duties, and will take action against those who commit such offences," it said.

Under the Private Security Industry Act, it is an offence to harass, assault or hurt security workers.

Anyone found guilty of intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress to a security worker can be fined up to S$5,000 or jailed up to 12 months, or both.

Those found guilty of assaulting or using criminal force on a security worker can be fined up to S$7,500 or jailed up to two years, or both.

As for those found guilty of voluntarily causing hurt, they are liable to be fined up to S$10,000 or jailed up to five years, or both.

In April and May, two men in separate cases were charged for similar offences, one at United Square mall and one at Red Swastika School.