Not only are thefts onboard aircraft increasingly significantly, thefts on the ground at Changi Airport are also on the rise. The Singapore Police Force recently announced that organised crime groups were responsible for the inflight theft cases onboard flights to Singapore.
Shop theft in transit areas in Changi Airport saw 37 cases between January and May. There was a total of 109 cases in 2024, and 129 cases the year before, as reported by The Straits Times.
Use of robots
The Singapore Police Force said that these crimes are very opportunistic as some travellers walk into the shops and take what they want and walk off.
To help address the issue, the Airport Police Division has been using robots since April 2023 to patrol Terminal 4 to augment frontline Police officers in conducting premises patrol.
These robots are equipped with cameras and sensors provide a 360-degree view for officers in a control room, improving their ability to assess situations. The robots can also autonomously patrol, enforce cordons, and communicate with the public, offering an additional layer of security and operational efficiency.
In emergency situations, the robots can use their sirens and blinkers to alert people and maintain order until human officers arrive. A button on the robot allows people to connect directly with a police officer for assistance or inquiries.
The Singapore Police Force also said a new patrol robot called Gibson, which will be equipped to transport an officer, will be launched later in 2025. More details will be revealed later.
Recent cases of theft
The Straits Times had reported the following recent cases of theft at Changi Airport.
In June, a woman from India was sentenced to eight days’ jail after she pleaded guilty to stealing a Furla purse and a bottle of perfume – both items are worth about S$500 – during transit at the airport. Another Indian woman was fined S$700 for stealing a haversack worth S$80 while on transit as well.
Also in June, the police arrested a 69-year-old Bangladeshi man for his suspected involvement in two cases of shop theft committed in Terminal 3. He allegedly stole beauty products worth about $500. A 43-year-old Irish man was arrested after allegedly shoplifting twice in the transit area of Terminal 1. He had allegedly taken two bottles of perfume and left the store without paying.
In May, the police arrested a 45-year-old Australian man for his suspected involvement in two cases of shop theft in the transit area of Terminal 1. The items are a bottle of facial product and a bottle of perfume, both totalling about S$650.
Other robots deployed at Changi Airport
Toni the Robotic Bartender ‘works’ at the Lotte Duty Free stores in Terminals 2 and 3, and serves cocktails using dual mechanical arms and an interactive interface. Toni was made by robot bartender manufacturer, Makr Shakr, and this marks the first time a robot bartender is deployed at an airport. Toni can prepare more than 80 drinks per hour, mixing drinks from 158 bottles of spirits and syrups placed on the ceiling.
According to a Tik Tok video by Changi Airport, you can get a free drink by either downloading the LotteSG app and redeeming a voucher, or by making a purchase of at least S$180 at the duty-free store.
Watch Toni in action here.
Here are other robots that are deployed around Jewel at Changi Airport.
PETER (Patrol & Traffic Enforcement Robot) is Jewel’s Robocop. Patrolling along the main entrance of Jewel, it is able to screen traffic enforcement messages and play audio advisory alerts, for drivers who stop their vehicles for an extended period of time at the kerbside. This robot is also connected to the Jewel Smart Operations Centre via live video streaming.
PETER in action in this video here
A hospitality robot makes its appearance at Jewel’s Canopy Park (on Level 5), offering sweets and bottled water to guests. The robot calls out to guests along its way, and a simple pressing of a button stops it in its tracks for guests to retrieve what they need.
Two mop robots are deployed at Level 1 of Jewel, around the HSBC Rain Vortex. They are programmed to do spot mopping autonomously, drying wet areas in the valley. As the area is a popular photo spot with visitors, these mop robots can expertly navigate around crowds and their luggage.
Waste collection robots which can each pull a 660-litre bin along a pre-mapped route, stop along the way for tenants to empty their trash. By reducing the need for manual collection of trash, the robots increase the productivity of cleaners and allow them to be re-deployed for other cleaning duties in Jewel.
Main Photo credit: Alen thien / Shutterstock.com
