{"id":39319,"date":"2026-03-26T06:07:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T22:07:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=39319"},"modified":"2026-03-26T06:07:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T22:07:39","slug":"nea-improves-high-rise-littering-detection-with-cameras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=39319","title":{"rendered":"NEA improves high-rise littering detection with cameras"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE &#8211; <!-- -->A pilot rolled out by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in October 2025, which involved roping in all 19 town councils to deploy high-rise littering cameras, has yielded a 30 per cent catch rate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">This compares with the 21 per cent catch rate recorded by surveillance cameras for such acts deployed by NEA in 2025, the agency told The Straits Times on March 25. Catch rate refers to the rate of successful detection of high-rise littering acts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Under the six-month pilot, each town council was provided with two surveillance camera deployments a month to enable \u201cfaster and more targeted intervention\u201d on high-rise littering cases, NEA said. The town council\u2019s ground staff identified the high-rise littering hot spots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">A total of 39 cameras were deployed as at December 2025 under this initiative.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">NEA did not reveal the areas where high-rise litterbugs were caught by these cameras. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In all, NEA took action against 350 cases of high-rise littering in 2025, the agency said. It was providing an update on littering statistics for 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Such actions pose a danger to the public, dirty the environment and threaten public hygiene. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The number of high-rise littering complaints <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/nea-steps-up-enforcement-against-high-rise-littering-investigating-29000-cases-yearly?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">has remained stable since 2023,<\/span><\/a> averaging about 28,600 annually, said NEA.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The agency added that it is continually developing new approaches to improve its surveillance efforts and enforcement effectiveness. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"portrait inline-media-wrapper\" style=\"--aspect-article-portrait:1140 \/ 1711\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/a654ebdfd49bbaf593606673d51d92f5f620176423ea15ff863e77568722f61a?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/a654ebdfd49bbaf593606673d51d92f5f620176423ea15ff863e77568722f61a?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/a654ebdfd49bbaf593606673d51d92f5f620176423ea15ff863e77568722f61a?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/a654ebdfd49bbaf593606673d51d92f5f620176423ea15ff863e77568722f61a\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-portrait flex items-start shrink-0 portrait article-portrait object-contain mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">NEA conducted about 2,200 camera deployments in 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">PHOTO: NEA<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">For instance, to improve the detection of perpetrators, NEA said it has, from August 2025, extended the camera surveillance duration for high-rise littering from 14 days to up to 28 days. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">NEA also said in the<!-- --> March 25<!-- --> update that about 1,300 enforcement actions were taken against premise owners for rat-related lapses in 2025, up from over 1,000 in 2024. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Of these actions jointly undertaken by NEA and the Singapore Food Agency, 620 were for poor refuse management.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/b95ff3205b17d03e7688d9be3368619d18f05206b35f17916b0bafc4b6aa34a8?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/b95ff3205b17d03e7688d9be3368619d18f05206b35f17916b0bafc4b6aa34a8?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/b95ff3205b17d03e7688d9be3368619d18f05206b35f17916b0bafc4b6aa34a8?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/b95ff3205b17d03e7688d9be3368619d18f05206b35f17916b0bafc4b6aa34a8\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">NEA said a total of 13,600 enforcement actions for littering offences were taken in 2025 across Singapore. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">PHOTO: NEA<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In 2025, NEA took 13,200 enforcement actions against ground littering offences across Singapore. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">It also conducted about 300 enforcement blitzes \u2013 more than twice the number of blitzes conducted in 2024 \u2013 at litter-prone hot spots in 2025. NEA did not reveal the locations of these hot spots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Under the Environmental Public Health Act, those found guilty of littering face fines of up to $2,000 for their first conviction, $4,000 for their second one, and $10,000 for third and subsequent convictions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">They could also be made to undergo a corrective work order, which involves cleaning public areas for up to 12 hours. NEA said it issued over 700 such orders in 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Such measures, including enforcement blitzes and corrective work orders, have led to a 40 per cent reduction in litter count at hot spots across a six-month period, said NEA. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/90900046d3ad91b93d613446680a5a841f2ddd43835efdaf3de99d4c171c5f2a?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/90900046d3ad91b93d613446680a5a841f2ddd43835efdaf3de99d4c171c5f2a?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/90900046d3ad91b93d613446680a5a841f2ddd43835efdaf3de99d4c171c5f2a?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/90900046d3ad91b93d613446680a5a841f2ddd43835efdaf3de99d4c171c5f2a\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">NEA said that the average number of rat burrows recorded per cycle has fallen in the second half of 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">PHOTO: NEA<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">While more enforcement actions were taken against premise owners for rat-related lapses, the number of rat burrows recorded fell.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The average number of rat burrows recorded during each surveillance cycle in the second half of 2025 was about 4,200, down from 5,400 in the first half of the year, said NEA. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The majority of burrows were detected in public housing estates, followed by grass verges along roadsides and in industrial estates, the agency added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Since September 2025, NEA has stepped up rat control efforts in locations such as Little India, which was identified as an area with high trade activities and inadequate refuse management practices. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">These efforts included engaging stakeholders on good housekeeping and proper refuse management, and conducting regular night inspections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Combined with stakeholders\u2019 efforts<!-- --> in the area<!-- -->, NEA\u2019s latest thermal and passive infrared camera deployments showed up to 70 per cent reduction in rat activities at various sites in Little India, the agency added.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cSustained efforts from all stakeholders remain crucial, as rat populations can quickly rebound if good housekeeping practices are not maintained consistently,\u201d said NEA. \u201cEveryone plays a part to keep Singapore clean.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/environment\/high-rise-littering-cameras-deployed-by-town-councils-helped-improve-detection-of-such-acts-nea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE &#8211; A pilot rolled out by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in October 2025, which involved roping in all 19 town councils to deploy&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39320,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=39319"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39319\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/39320"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}