Singapore police to tighten security in main shopping district ahead of Christmas Eve crowds

SINGAPORE, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Singapore police said they expect large crowds along Orchard Road, the city-state's main shopping district, on Christmas Eve and will tighten security measures, including deploying additional officers, conducting security checks and closing some metro entrances and roads.

Police officers, auxiliary police officers and security officers will be deployed from Wednesday evening to manage crowds in the area, with barricades and directional signage put in place, the Singapore Police Force said in a Facebook post on Monday.

Based on previous years' experience, a roughly 1.2-kilometer stretch of Orchard Road typically becomes a focal point for large crowds on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, local media reported.

Police will conduct enhanced patrols, and security personnel may carry out checks on bags and personal items, the statement said. Authorities have also released details of roads that will be closed to all vehicular traffic.

Certain entrances and exits at Orchard Road's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station may be closed if necessary to regulate crowd flow. Members of the public were advised to use the nearby Somerset MRT station or other public transport options.

Police encouraged the public to check an online real-time map for updates on crowd levels and area closures before heading to the district. ■