Teachers and social workers in Singapore will receive police training to help them recognise signs that a young person may be getting involved with a gang.
The first training programme is scheduled for the first half of 2027 and is expected to involve about 120 teachers and social workers.
Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong announced the initiative at the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders Network Summit on 12 August 2026.
What Will Teachers Be Trained to Look For?
Officers from the Singapore Police Force’s Secret Societies Branch will conduct the course.
According to The Straits Times, the programme will cover Singapore’s gang landscape, the legal consequences of joining a gang, the ways young people become exposed to gangs, and early indicators and risk signals.
One possible sign is the repeated use of gang-related symbols.
Muhammad Farhan Fauzi, a former gang member interviewed by ST, said teachers may overlook students drawing gang insignia on their books or shoes.
However, the authorities have not publicly released a complete checklist of behaviours that teachers will be taught to identify. A single sign would also not necessarily establish that a student belongs to a gang.
The purpose of the training is to help teachers and social workers recognise possible problems sooner, allowing intervention to begin before a young person becomes more deeply involved.
Number of Young People in Prison and Remand Rose by 36.2%
The announcement comes after an increase in the population of young inmates and remand prisoners.
Singapore Prison Service figures show that the number aged between 16 and 21 rose from 307 in 2024 to 418 in 2025. That was an increase of 36.2%.
This figure covers young inmates and remand prisoners generally. It does not mean that all 418 were involved in gangs.
Mr Tong said the youth gang situation in Singapore remained under control. Nevertheless, he described early intervention as important because gang association is linked to a higher risk of criminal activity.
The broader increase in youth offending, he added, called for sustained attention.
Students Will Also Help With Crime Prevention
The teacher training is one part of a wider effort to prevent youth crime and gang involvement.
Under the Youth Community Outreach Programme run by youth social service organisation SHINE, students are trained to serve as crime-prevention ambassadors and positive influences on their peers.
As at August 2026, 400 students from eight secondary schools had participated. These included Montfort Secondary School, Outram Secondary School, Queensway Secondary School and Whitley Secondary School.
Students from another 12 schools are expected to join the programme by 2027.
A gang renunciation programme will also be introduced at the Singapore Boys’ Home. It is intended to help youths who want to leave gangs break their ties and rebuild their lives.
