The Singapore police do not actively check homes for people breaking circuit breaker rules, the authorities have clarified to address the recent spate of rumours making the rounds in messages.

However, the police will take action if they come across such cases in the course of dealing with other complaints, they said on Tuesday, April 14.

The police were referring to text messages forwarded claiming that some people are getting caught as checks are made door-to-door.

The police highlighted a family dispute in a home in Jurong West Avenue 1, where the police issued a warning to a couple for breaking heightened safe distancing measures in place in Singapore now.

The police said a man in the incident on April 11 had first sought the police's help over a family quarrel.

He was at the family gathering there but did not live in the Jurong West unit.

It was only after the call that the police found that the man and his wife, who was also there, were at the unit for non-essential purposes.

The duo were then issued with a warning.

Referring to messages that said the police were out to catch those who have other people in their homes, but who do not live there, the police said: "This is not true. The police urge the public not to spread unsubstantiated information which may cause public alarm."

Top photo via Singapore Police Force