Fewer Than 1 in 5 People Noticed Suspicious Items in MHA's Social Experiments

Over a few hours in the afternoon and evening, the car was left in a public place to test the public’s response to terror incidents.

More than 2,500 people in Tampines and Bishan walked past a black suitcase and a black car with a concealed number plate, but fewer than 500 of them noticed the suspicious objects. Only 26 people alerted the authorities.

The social experiments were conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on June 10 and 13 to gauge public response to potential terror incidents.

Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam highlighted the need to educate the public on being prepared for potential threats despite Singapore being considered a safe city.

The experiments involved a dummy improvised explosive device in a suitcase and a car with gas cylinders, testing public awareness and response.

Despite efforts to escalate the simulations, only a small percentage of passers-by noticed the suspicious items and alerted the authorities.

The results of the experiments differed from a previous public perception survey, indicating the need for increased public alertness and readiness to combat terrorism.

The web series 'What Would You Do When Terror Strikes' aims to raise awareness about SGSecure messages and equip the public with skills to handle crisis situations.

The series features local influencers responding to a simulated terror attack and will release more episodes showcasing the social experiments conducted in June.