HDB Lifts Were Once Considered Dangerous in Singapore. Here’s How That Changed

SINGAPORE: Did you know there was a time in Singapore when taking the lift was considered a potential risk? During the 1980s and 1990s, lift robberies were so prevalent that posters were put up reminding people to stay vigilant while riding the lift, especially when alone. The situation was serious enough that newspapers and even parliament took note, with one of the common pieces of advice being to avoid wearing flashy jewelry that could attract unwanted attention.

The threat extended beyond simple theft; some incidents involved violence. In 1995, for instance, a woman named Kwek Lee Hare tragically lost her life in a suspected robbery in a lift. Such cases created widespread concern, prompting action from authorities to improve lift safety.

As part of the effort to combat this problem, authorities launched extensive public awareness campaigns, adding posters and advisory messages in public spaces. Additional safety improvements followed, including upgrades to lift designs. By 1995, all new HDB blocks were built with lifts that stopped at every floor, cutting down the time assailants had to act. By 2001, older blocks were upgraded to this standard as well, significantly improving lift safety.

Another major change was the addition of glass panels and CCTVs. These changes, introduced in the early ’90s, allowed for better visibility, deterring potential criminals from acting in lifts. CCTVs became standard in HDB lifts, and by 2020, surveillance cameras had been installed in all lifts across People’s Action Party town councils.

While the risk of lift robberies has greatly diminished over the years, with mirrors and CCTVs now helping to deter other issues, reminders of that era still highlight how far Singapore has come in improving public safety.