Foreigners, including construction workers, are committing fewer
crimes compared with Singaporeans, the Today newspaper
reported Monday quoting fresh government data.
The newspaper, quoting figures from the Ministry of Home
Affairs, said 3,780 out of the 19,371 persons arrested last year
were foreigners.
This amounted to an arrest rate, defined as the ratio of persons
arrested per 100,000 total population - of 286, the paper said.
In comparison, the arrest rate for Singapore residents is 435.
Work permit holders, which includes construction workers, had the
lowest rate at 227.
Perceptions of foreign workers as a rowdy bunch prone to
criminal behavior were thrust into the national spotlight recently,
when authorities announced plans to turn an empty school compound
in Serangoon Gardens into a temporary dormitory to house 1,500
foreign workers.
Angry residents in the predominantly middle-class private estate
swiftly petitioned against the decision, arguing that it could
upset the peace in the community and put its women and children at
risk.
An online poll conducted by MSN Singapore showed that close
to four in 10 netizens believe allowing foreign workers to live in
housing estates would threaten the community.
Among the 6,480 respondents, close to two in 10 said
Singaporeans should share their estates with foreigners. One in ten
agreed, but wanted them out of their own communities.
Foreigners, which includes Employment Pass and Work Permit
holders and their dependents, as well as students, make up 27 per
cent of Singapore's total population of 4.9 million.
MSN
Singapore
