Other measures include police road shows and prison visits, and a new police-NPCC youth ambassador programme to promote crime prevention.

The issue was raised in Parliament on Thursday, Mar 2, where MPs discussed the budget estimates of the Home Affairs Ministry.

MP Tan Soo Khoon has expressed concern that youths may feel that the checks would stifle their freedom.

Mr Tan says: "What adults may view as loitering on the part of the young, the young consider that they are only hanging out or what they call chilling out with their friends, it is probably a harmless activity and we must therefore adopt a balanced approach.

"Where they have done wrong, we have to take the necessary steps, and the best way is preventive action through education and that is the job of parents and teachers to tell them that crime does not pay."

Associate Professor Ho says: "Mr Tan has rightly mentioned that parents is a pivotal group. And this is where the recent initiative was actually meant to do.

"To partner parents, to let them know that we are partners with you and through this measure, through the knowledge or information given to you, so that you are more effective as a parent.

"Let me just say that police already conducts checks on youths found congregating in public areas after 11pm, basically to prevent them from getting into trouble, either as victims or perpetrators of a crime.

"So last year in fact, during school holidays, some 15,000 checks were conducted, so it is nothing new." - CNA/de

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