SINGAPORE — In the past five years, more than 80 youths under 16 years old were arrested annually for trespassing private properties and restricted areas, such as unoccupied schools and rooftops, as well as military areas.

They make up about 12 per cent of an average of about 700 people arrested for trespassing annually, the House heard on Tuesday (Feb 27).

Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs Amrin Amin shared the figures in reply to Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency Joan Pereira’s question on the number and reasons of trespass cases, including measures to prevent trespass.

On average, Mr Amrin said some 580 cases of trespass are reported to the police every year for the past five years, of which, only about 30 of such cases annually involved acts like mischief and vandalism that caused some damage to properties.

For youths, Mr Amrin said police experience suggested they were motivated by “a desire to seek thrill in their free time” and peer pressure.

Others, he noted, trespass to conduct illicit activities such as vice, or for “less malicious reasons” such as to access fishing spots at the beaches or to pick durians.

Mr Amrin, however, said the police do not track the number of trespass cases that involve death or injuries.

As for measures, he said the police will work with stakeholders to enhance the security of sites to prevent and deter trespass, including putting up signs in restricted areas, such as military installations and training grounds, as well as state lands to warn the public against trespassing.

The police have also put up Crime Alert signages at areas where there have been incidents, and work with Town Councils to ensure that the Housing and Development Board rooftops are secured to prevent unauthorised access, he added.