ELD wheelchairs damaged at locations designated for use as polling stations
13 youths are under police investigation after wheelchairs belonging to the Elections Department (ELD) were found damaged in separate incidents in Sengkang and Boon Lay.
Both locations were designated for use as polling stations, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in a news release on Thursday (1 May).
Source: 𝗛&𝗖𝗢 on Pexels. Photo for illustration purposes only.
Three ELD wheelchairs damaged at open space in Sengkang
In the first incident, the police received a call for assistance at about 10.55pm on 28 April.
Three ELD wheelchairs had been damaged at an open space in Block 51A Sengkang West Avenue.
Source: Google Maps
An ActiveSG Gym and basketball court is located there.
5 youths allegedly used wheelchairs to race one another
Five people are believed to be involved in the case.
Their identities were established by officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division.
According to preliminary investigations, they had allegedly used the wheelchairs to race with one another.
One of them also allegedly threw one of the wheelchairs in the air.
One ELD wheelchair damaged at basketball court in Boon Lay
In the second incident, the police received a call for assistance at about 1am on 1 May.
One ELD wheelchair had been damaged at Block 176B Boon Lay Drive.
Source: Google Maps
At the location is a sheltered basketball court, which had been cordoned off for use as a polling station.
Officers from Jurong Police Division identified eight people suspected of being involved in the incident.
13 youths suspected of damaging govt property
The 13 people involved in both cases were aged between 13 and 20 years old, SPF said.
They are suspected of damaging government property, and police investigations into their suspected involvement are ongoing.
Under Section 3 of the Vandalism Act, those convicted of vandalism face a fine of up to S$2,000 or jail time of up to three years.
They are also liable to receive between three and eight strokes of the cane.
Police to take ‘firm & swift’ action
The police “will not tolerate” those who disregard the law, cause law and order problems, or vandalise or cause damage to public property, SPF said.
Thus, it will “take firm and swift action” against them.
This is especially during the “sensitive period of elections”, SPF added.
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Luxury cars targeted in alleged Teck Whye vandalism spree, police investigating case of mischief
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Featured image adapted from Google Maps and Google Maps.
