Shop owners in Pandamaran have been worried sick about security issues as the area records around ten theft cases that involved hawker stalls and shop lots. 

For the past two pandemic-stricken years, Pandamaran food courts and hawker centres have seen several cases of theft. For a period of time, no new cases have been recorded, but in the recent weeks, break-in theft cases have been on the rise. From gas cylinders, meter wires to food supplies, the thieves would leave nothing behind. 

As theft cases have been happening frequently, vendors had to resort to using large locks and metal chains to lock their belongings in place. Some built metal window grates and padlocked them, while some chose to fork out their own money to rent a place to store more expensive items. 

Local vendors alongside Pandamaran assemblyperson Mr. Tony Leong Tuck Chee held a media conference regarding the situation. Hawker centers were robbed in turns, with 5-7 stalls falling victim in just one night. And now even shop lots were getting broken into.

“Prices for materials and ingredients have been rising, so the thieves are taking advantage of that and stealing all they can find, including gas cylinders, meter wires, tables, chairs, electronic fans and even raw ingredients inside refrigerators.”

Mr Tony had stated that he had previously received several complaints from hawkers regarding thefts and stated that their team had contacted the Pandamaran police station to increase patrol around the area. While the hawker centre was just one street away from the police station, the thieves were daring enough to continue stealing anyway. 

He also encouraged vendors to make police reports if they found their stalls to be broken into or stolen from. Even if there were no losses, if there were any traces of theft, a police report should be made. CCTVs were advised to be installed at the hawker centre to gather evidence for the police to get a lead on the thieves’ whereabouts. 

Reference Links - 
[1] Sin Chew Daily 
[2] YB Tony Leong Tuck Chee