General Information » Essential Info » Crime & Safety

In an international quality of life survey, Singapore ranked second after Luxembourg, and alongside Helsinki, Zurich, Geneva and Bern in the personal safety category. Its crime rate is also one of the lowest in the world. While 2005 saw an increase in the overall crime rate, it was mostly as a result of minor crime like theft from homes, or of mobile phones and bags. It’s silly to leave valuables unattended in public places, especially laptops. Travelling by public transport and taxis, however late at night, even if you are female and alone, is safe.

While not commonplace, women in bars and nightclubs have had their drinks spiked, so don’t leave them unattended. A reliable way to start a fight is to stare at someone; men interpret it as an affront and the customary response is belligerence.

On the road, watch out for motorcyclists as they often don’t follow road lanes and squeeze in between cars to overtake or get to the front of the traffic. Singaporeans are so accustomed to following explicit rules that when lane markings are absent (due to road works), they become befuddled and lane discipline breaks down.