Police investigating 13 persons, aged 13-20, for allegedly damaging ELD's wheelchairs at Sengkang & Boon Lay

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) are investigating 13 individuals, aged between 13 and 20, for allegedly damaging government property in two separate incidents.

Sengkang incident

In a May 1 news release, the SPF said they received a call for assistance at Block 51A Sengkang West Avenue at around 10:55pm on Apr. 28.

An open space at the public housing block has been designated for use as a polling station.

However, three wheelchairs belonging to the Elections Department Singapore (ELD) had been damaged.

Officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identities of five persons believed to be involved in the case.

Preliminary investigations found that they allegedly used the wheelchairs to race with one another.

One of them also allegedly threw one of the wheelchairs in the air.

Boon Lay incident

The other case took place during the early hours of May 1 at a sheltered basketball court at Block 176B Boon Lay Drive.

The court has been cordoned off and designated for use as a polling station.

At around 1am, the police received a call for assistance that a wheelchair belonging to the ELD had been damaged.

Officers from Jurong Police Division have established the identities of eight persons who might be involved in the matter.

Penalties for vandalism

Police investigations into both incidents are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the police reminded the public that the offence of vandalism carries a fine of up to S$2,000 or imprisonment for up to three years.

Those convicted are also liable to caning of between three and eight strokes.

"The Police will not tolerate, and will take firm and swift action against those who disregard the law, cause law and order problems, or vandalise or cause damage to public property, especially during this sensitive period of elections."

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