Singapore's crime-free image goes down the drain

SINGAPORE - It is considered one of Asia's safest cities, but authorities in Singapore have a theft problem -- spurred by a surge in metals prices.

Thefts of drain covers, prayer urns, copper cables and other metal items doubled in Singapore last year, police said today.

While the overall crime rate in Singapore dropped 10 per cent last year, metal-related thefts jumped, with 1092 cases in 2006 compared with 526 cases in the previous year.

"Most of the stolen metal items are sold to Karung Guni men," said Tan Puay Kern, the senior assistant commissioner of police, referring to Singapore's rag-and-bone men. He added that thieves had made off with lightning conductors, street signs, and the housings for cable-television equipment. Read more..........Singapore's crime-free image goes down the drain