Is Singapore Safe for Travelers? Read This Before It’s too late!

We get the same questions every month from travelers worldwide: “Is it safe to travel to Singapore?”

Come on, everyone 😌

When we speak of Singapore, we refer to one of Asia’s safest and cleanest cities.

With a meager crime rate and high sanitation, most residents feel completely secure venturing out on the streets at night.

Due to the strictness of the laws and the judicial enforcement of norms, Singapore has developed into one of the safest tourist destinations.

The question always popped up: ‘Is Singapore safe to travel to?’

However, because minor crime is always possible in any country, staying awake and aware of your surroundings is always advisable.

Verdict: Singapore is Safe for Travelers

Yes, Singapore is considered safe for all types of travelers! Seriously?

Even there is a broad definition and spectrum of safety.

As locals who live and stay in Singapore, we can confidently say that Singapore is SAFE to live and travel, even if you travel solo.

To convince you, we will take you to Hudson’s facts and data of the 2021 Global Residence Index with their signature methodology, which involves city homicide rate, kidnapping, political risk, security risk, and many more.

Singapore ranks no. 7 among 181 countries. Together with Japan, Switzerland, and Iceland, who made it to the top 10.

This data doesn’t mean Singapore relaxes in preserving safety; the slogan always sticks in our mind is: “low crime does mean no crime.”

And also, the infographic of Singapore crime rate from the Singapore Police Force, the non-scams crime rate in Singapore decreased by 15.3% in 2020 compared with the year before.

Two crime classes recorded a 36-year low, housebreaking, and related crimes down almost 25%, followed by theft and associated crimes dropping around 33% from 2019.

How does Singapore maintain its safety?

1. Law Enforcement

According to the infographic above, Singapore ranked 1^st  in the “Order and Security” category in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2020—also 1^st in Gallup’s 2020 Global Law and Order Report.

These are a global gauge of people’s sense of security and personal experiences with crime and law enforcement in their countries.

Likewise, our personal experiences as Singaporeans led us to the same conclusion.

2. Consistency and rich functionality of surveillance cameras.

Due to the extensive use of security cameras, practically everyone may be tracked from the moment they leave their home (cameras installed in elevators) until they return (if they use public transportation).

Singapore’s safety results from a blend of social values and enforcing the law.

Community engagement/policing, adherence to law enforcement laws, practical and impartial law enforcement, and civic duty.

3. Society Participation

Trust in government, in the law, and in our ability to contribute to the more significant benefit of society are all crucial.

There is a strong emphasis on knowledge and prevention because our community consists primarily of high-rise apartments, regular community engagement events teach people how to avoid creating fire dangers and use a fire extinguisher properly.

For example:

• Electrical extension cords are subject to regulation and cannot be marketed without a safety seal.
• Schools provide presentations about the perils of smoking and drug usage.
• The public gets updated on the methods utilized by scammers.

Every male Singaporean citizen must serve in either the army or civil defense force (civil defense force is the name given to the combined firefighters+medics+police force) for two years as part of the National Service.

National Servicemen play a part in most of the active army (the rest are reserves).

By requiring every male citizen to participate in the army/civil defense, civic education is enhanced, along with trust and respect for the effort to achieve peace and security.

Singapore’s safety results from a blend of social values and enforcing the law. Civil responsibility, adherence to laws and law enforcement, effective and impartial law enforcement, and community engagement/policing.

Trust in government, the law, and our part in doing good as a society are all critical.

4. Singapore is safe because crime here isn’t worth it.

A few factors make this the case:

1. It is far too simple to be caught.
2. When one is caught, the penalties are excessively severe.
3. Individuals are not required to commit crimes.

Let’s take a look at each factor deeply:

1. It is far too simple to be caught.

Let us discuss geography.

In terms of size, Singapore is a tiny country.

And it is a tiny island nation that is highly monitored, making it a nightmare for criminals on the run.

I’ve given great attention to how Singapore can apprehend virtually every severe criminal.

In Singapore, it is difficult, if not impossible, to get away with significant crimes such as murder or kidnapping, as it is simply too simple to follow the movements of nearly everyone.

Being well-monitored is insufficient if laws are not strictly enforced.

In Singapore, police posts and center sites are well-distributed, and officers may reach almost any place within 15 minutes.

Singapore is also one of the least corrupt nations in the world. Therefore you will not be able to evade legal penalties if caught.

Singapore is too small and well-monitored for significant crimes to go unpunished.

However, minor crimes such as stealing are still a problem occasionally.

2. When one is arrested, the penalties are excessively severe.

Singapore takes a firm stance against crime, and its sentences are incredibly severe.

In Singapore, caning as a form of judicial punishment is still practiced.

The offenses punishable by caning include rape, the outrage of modesty, sexual abuse, robbery, and vandalism.

You may also be caned for murder only if you are not hanged afterward.

In other words, the state eliminates the caning for executing those. What generosity!

The image reveals that the “caning officer” is a large man putting his entire body behind the strike.

A few years ago, a rapist was sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison and 22 canings.

The cane is made from a particular type of wood that WILL leave a noticeable, permanent scar.

In addition to caning, Singapore retains the death penalty (i.e., execution by hanging) for crimes such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, and murder.

3. Individuals are not required to commit crimes.

Singapore is relatively prosperous, and for obvious reasons, wealthy nations tend to be more stable than typical nations.

Most Singaporeans have little need to compromise their already comfortable lifestyles by indulging in illegal behavior since the government has built a solid structure to fulfill the nation’s basic needs with support for low-income families, subsidized housing prices, and a wide range of employment options.

Another factor is the compact size of Singapore makes it simple to maintain security.

Subjective definition and meaning of safety

If your idea of safety is allowing your children to play on the main road, then we suggest that nowhere in Singapore is safe.

If your idea of safety is to flash vast amounts of cash in public and not get mugged immediately or later, we won’t try that at several places.

If your idea of safety is being able to travel at midnight on an almost empty train, that’s fine.

The Singapore police have even developed a mobile application enabling users to report “serious offenses” such as unlawful moneylending and unwanted gambling offers!

Singaporean citizens collaborate with the police to ensure the safety of their communities.

The unsafe area to avoid in Singapore

Some places or districts have a high crime rate in each country and are specially monitored by the police; it also happens in Singapore.

Based on the report from Singapore Police Force in 2016, this are the list of 5 Neighbourhoods with the Most Crimes Reported:

Even though the overall crime in Singapore decreases yearly, some neighborhoods remain more prone to criminal activities.
Most crimes were reported in Yishun North, Nanyang, Jurong West, Tampines, and Woodlands East.

These top 5 unsafe areas also have the most crime remaining in the top 5 for crimes reported yearly.

In each neighborhood, the crimes reported in 2016 involved loan sharks and unlicensed moneylending harassment cases. Except for Jurong West, it was the place with almost 50 points of outrage of modesty and eight housebreak-ins.

For short-term visitors and travelers, please be mindful if you have a schedule to visit the neighborhood above, keep your awareness high, and avoid staying outside too late.

How to stay alert and safe during your visit to Singapore?

What do you consider SAFE? I reckon you are asking from a tourist’s point of view.

And all of those apply to the citizens and other residents of the city-state.

Keep your eyes open and aware of your surroundings. Avoid talking too much in public with people you don’t know about what you earn or what you have would be general ways to keep yourself safe in any big city.

Is Singapore Safe? Conclusion

Swipe away your concern and question: ‘Is Singapore safe to travel to?’

I can say that Singapore is safe to travel for solo travelers, family travelers, and honeymoon couples.

See you in Singapore!

If you want to know more about the best 3-day itinerary for first-timers, check our article below:
The Most Powerful 3-day Itinerary in Singapore for First-Time Visitors