More rape, molestation cases contribute to rise in physical crime

There were 479 rapes in 2025, up from 401 such assaults in 2024.

- David Sun Crime Correspondent

The number of molestation cases also rose from 1,427 in 2024 to 1,531 in 2025.

Overall, physical crime cases increased from 19,969 in 2024 to 20,857 in 2025, the police said in their annual crime brief released on Feb 24.

But the number of shop thefts, which made up 20 per cent of total physical crime cases, dropped.

The police said molestation was a top crime of concern, with more than half of these cases involving offenders known to victims.

Cases of molestation in residential premises, on public transport networks and at public entertainment outlets rose, while cases in shopping complexes decreased, said the police.

The number of rapes also went up by almost 20 per cent.

Most of the cases involved culprits known to the victims.

The statistics paint a worrying picture, with more than one rape and over four cases of molestation daily.

Voyeurism cases decreased, from 519 in 2024 to 486 in 2025.

Most of these cases were committed in residential premises, shopping complexes and on public transport.