Snatch-theft victim shouts for help but no one responds

ST has a report about a thief snatching a woman's $800 mobile phone at the rear of Wisma Atria, and no one helping her run after the thief.

'There were dozens of people in the taxi queue, sitting at the staircase, and walking about, but nobody came forward to help,' she said on Tuesday.

'They just looked on as if it was some kind of show.'

The article cites another incident at Tekka Market in Serangoon Road where a woman's handbag was snatched and no one helped her. So are Singaporeans really that apathetic? Perhaps there was too much confusion? Well, Singaporeans haven't always just stood by. Maybe a few more lessons in recognising snatch thieves might be helpful. For example, guy running away while being chased by screaming woman, fits the characteristics of potential thief. Or we could clone those who actually, can recognise snatch thieves and make secondary school students practise snatch thief tackling as a required lesson in schools.