With all the political debates getting tensed up of late, let us not turn aside our focus on the imminent increase in crime in the country. The police should be more focused on maintaining a crime-free society rather than be used to expedite political preference and necessity.

We have to accept the fact that our economic scenario is changing. As a consequence, the country would soon see violent and property crimes increasing at a very fast rate although crime per 100,000 in the past was growing at a slower rate than the population growth.

Economic growth and greater affluence in a society have produced much more crime. Greater development has led many youths to have unrealisable aspirations which are un-achievable and this had compelled them to take on criminal activities to accomplish their objectives.

Economic damages, on the other hand, would inflict poverty and this would in turn contribute to an increase in the crime rate especially when there is a wide gap between the rich and the poor. With more economic inequality in sight, the higher the crime rate will be.

With the economic woes faced by the world today, this would generate more disparity in society and this is going to adversely affect the country in terms of crime. Lest we forget, there is going to be higher inflation resulting in a higher cost of living.

There will also be a continuous increase in population, a high urban concentration of youth, unemployment, lack of monetary opportunities all meaning more youngsters with unrealisable aspirations.

There is also an exceptionally close relationship between unemployment and crime and also youth and crime. The country’s population has tremendously grown due to the influx of illegal immigrants and this has - by design - deprived the locals of odd jobs.

Some of our local youths would rather resort to criminal activities than soil their hands doing menial jobs that are now hugely dominated by foreigners. Unlike countries like Japan and South Korea, we are yet to be able to change the mindset of our youth to take up robust jobs with perseverance.

Instead many foreign workers are employed in many sectors with a lower pay than if locals were recruited. This has not only deprived our youth of jobs but is another causal factor in the increase in the crime rate among them.

With the lack of opportunities in the rural areas and the refusal by some youths to work in the traditional farming sector – which is now thriving - we see more youths migrating to urban areas though many are under-educated are under-employed.

Many end up doing petty jobs and many others are unemployed. Some poorly paid youths would seek excitement through crime to live a comfy life with the hope of gaining self-respect.

Added to this would be the drug addicts. We have seen the failure in rehabilitating the drug addicts, many of whom get back into the society to commit crime to slake their craving for drugs.

With poverty and the weakening of religious and moral guidelines, the lack of parental love and the vague perspicacity youth have to differentiate between right and wrong, it is expected that the spawning disenchantment among youth could lead to them engaging in crime.

Society should not be apathetic towards crime and should start working hand-in-hand with the authority to curb crime. Society cannot solely depend on the police force to combat crime due to the former’s shortage of personnel and resources.

It appears the uncertainties over the political and economic scenario in the country now would further set off an increase in the crime rate. This is going to further dent the reputation of our peaceable society.