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Sep 16, 2023

Security guard at City Square Residences injured after alleged assault by a group of people; 2 men under probe

SINGAPORE — A security guard at City Square Residences condominium complex was

SINGAPORE — A security guard at City Square Residences condominium complex was allegedly assaulted by a group of people in the early hours of Sunday (May 7).

Screengrabs from video recordings of an alleged assault at City Square Residences on May 7, 2023.

SINGAPORE — A 56-year-old security guard at City Square Residences condominium complex was allegedly assaulted by a group of people in the early hours of Sunday (May 7).

In response to TODAY's queries, the police said that they were alerted to a case of assault at 4 Kitchener Link at 6.52am.

Two men, aged 26 and 58, are assisting with investigations into an alleged case of voluntarily causing hurt to a security officer.

The security guard was taken conscious to the hospital and investigations are ongoing, added the police.

The Security Association Singapore said in a press statement on Monday that the incident occurred at around 6.30am.

A security supervisor identified as just Suraskumar was on duty at the time and was injured in the alleged attack, the association said.

He was performing his regular entry checks at the condo located in the Little India area when he was assaulted by a group of people, it added.

Mr Suraskumar is employed with security agency Trek Investigations & Security Management Services (Trek).

Surveillance camera footage in the vicinity captured Mr Suraskumar, clad in an all-black uniform, being involved in an argument with a group of people — consisting of two men and a woman — near the condo's guardhouse.

A scuffle ensued between the men, causing damage to one of the gantry barriers.

Another clip of the incident showed Mr Suraskumar being pinned down by one of the men who was wearing a white top, while other passers-by were seen trying to diffuse the situation.

The Security Association Singapore said that Mr Suraskumar is recuperating from his injury, but did not provide further details.

A police report has been made and the Union of Security Employees has been informed of the incident.

Mr Suresh Ponniah, managing director of Trek, said that the company is "deeply concerned" about the incident and is cooperating with the authorities to investigate the matter and identify the culprits responsible for this "heinous act".

"Our company takes the safety and security of our employees very seriously, and are committed to ensuring that our employees can perform their duties safely and without fear of harm," he added.

The management of City Square Residences has also rendered support and assistance to Mr Suraskumar.

Its management council's chairman Barathan Pasupathi said: "We emphasise zero tolerance for any verbal or physical abuse to all frontline teams including security personnel.

"While we extend our duty of care to the injured team member at Trek and fully support the authorities in their investigations, we should collectively condemn this abuse and ensure the maximum extent of the law and enforcement is served."

The Security Association Singapore said that a Union of Security Employees’ survey found that four in 10 security officers have faced abuse in 2022, with verbal abuse forming the majority of abuse cases.

The results are consistent year on year.

This was despite the Private Security Industry Act being amended last year to enhance the protection of security officers by creating specific offences that come with enhanced penalties for abuse and harassment of security officers, it added.

The association also said that it has been working with security agencies to provide legal assistance to abused officers, and has also encouraged its members to display the anti-abuse decal and to provide body-worn cameras to their security officers as a deterrent.

Come June, the association will be issuing a set of guidelines for building owners and facility managers on what they could do to help fight abuse against officers, which includes educating residents and tenants on treating officers professionally and fairly, as well as on the penalties for abuse.

The Security Association Singapore's executive director Jourdan Sabapathy said he is heartened and encouraged that the management council of City Square Residences has supported security supervisor Suraskumar and expressed its commitment to not tolerate any mistreatment of security officers.

"It is not enough for us to just rely on the law and enforcement or be reactive whenever an incident occurs. We need to be proactive in engaging all stakeholders to educate and change mindsets, as well as to support frontline workers in carrying out their duties," Mr Sabaspathy added.

On April 14, a security guard was left injured after being allegedly assaulted by a condominium resident in Potong Pasir. The guard was said to have witnessed an "altercation" between the resident and a taxi driver outside the condominium's guardhouse.

The guard sustained a bloody gash on the his head after the resident allegedly kicked him and hit him on his head using his mobile phone.

A day before this, a security guard was confronted and verbally abused by a man whose car was wheel clamped at WCEGA Plaza in Bukit Batok.

And on April 3, a security guard was verbally abused at Thomson Grand condominium by a man demanding that the wheel clamp on his car be removed.

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