Members of the public who physically or verbally abuse enforcement Officers (EOs) and Safe Distancing ambassadors will be brought to task.

In a joint press release by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) and the Singapore Police Force, the authorities said that the police have observed an increase in the number of abuse cases against the officers.

The authorities said that they will not tolerate such abuse and will bring the offenders to task.

12 reports of public physically or verbally abusing officers

As at April 16 2020, the police have received 12 reports of members of the public who physically or verbally abused EOs and Ambassadors.

The authorities also provided details of five cases that they are investigating:

Case 1: On Apr 14, a 35-year-old man and his 33-year-old female companion hurled vulgarities at three ambassadors.

The offence: The man was sitting on a crossed-out seat at a hawker centre located at Toa Payoh Lorong 5.

Case 2: On Apr 15, a 72-year-old man slapped an EO who requested for his particulars.

The offence: The man was consuming food at a hawker centre located at Blk 89 Circuit Road.

Case 3: On Apr 15, a 40-year-old man head-butted an EO.

The offence: He was playing basketball at the cordoned-off Khatib Multi-Purpose Hall.

Case 4: On Apr 15, a 79-year-old man punched an EO.

The offence: The man was not wearing his face mask properly along Havelock Road.

Case 5: On Apr 16, a 37-year-old man insulted a police officer.

The offence: The man's female friend was not wearing a face mask while outside The Cathay.

The Circuit Breaker is in its eleventh day but quite a number of residents in Singapore are still breaking safe distancing rules.

Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli revealed on his Facebook post today (Apr.17) that more than 150 people face fines for dining in at F&B establishments, loitering in public spaces, and not complying with other safe distancing measures.

He also said that enforcement officers found around 100 people not wearing masks when they were out.

One can be caned or jailed up to seven years for causing hurt to public servant

Those found guilty of using abusive language against a public servant are liable on conviction to an imprisonment term of up to 12 months, or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

The offence of voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty is punishable with an imprisonment term of up to seven years, a fine, or caning.

The offence of using criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty is punishable with an imprisonment term of up to four years, a fine, or both.

The Police reminded the public that it is an offence not to furnish their personal particulars and residential address when required by an EO.

The public is advised to bring their identity cards or other forms of official identification with them when they leave home.

Top photos from Chan Chun Sing Facebook and Masagos Zulkifli Facebook.