Parents asked to be vigilant amid frequent sightings of groups of young boys at crime hotspots

The police have urged extra vigilance from parents over frequent sightings of groups of young boys at crime hotspots.

In a statement on Tuesday, the police said that regular patrols as well as statistics show an increase in sightings of groups of boys aged under 18 at several crime hotspots.

“We find the exposure of children to criminal environments deeply concerning,” said the police. “This leads to children falling victim to grooming, increases the risk of them getting exposed to unsafe situations, encourages them to get engage in unlawful driving of vehicles, encourages them to fight their parents and run away from home, exposes them to drug abuse, and increases the risk of them getting involved in additional crimes.”

The police urged parents to be extra vigilant regarding such matters, check their whereabouts, and talk to them about the importance of leading safe and responsible lives.

Police said they will continue to conduct spot checks and closely monitor such locations during routine patrols.

The agency also announced plans to collaborate with parents, the Education Ministry, other relevant state agencies, as well as the larger community in order to conduct programs aimed at ascertaining the safety and wellbeing of children.

The statement comes amid concern over the recruitment of juveniles by criminal gangs. Back in June 2024, Home Minister Ali Ihusan said that there are some 400 juveniles with links to criminal gangs, who require immediate intervention.

The government has announced plans to develop an island to rehabilitate juvenile delinquents, called “Hope Island”, as well as controversial plans to lower the age of criminal liability from 15 to 12 years, in a bid to address these issues.