Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen has raised serious concerns over the growing number of children appearing in criminal environments, urging parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s activities.
Speaking at a press conference on the work of agencies under the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, Commissioner Naveen revealed a worrying shift in criminal demographics, with younger individuals—some as young as 17—now frequently seen in crime-related hotspots.
"The faces we encounter in these environments have changed. Previously, older individuals dominated, but now we see new, much younger faces—often children who have just completed their A/Ls or are barely 18," he said.
The Commissioner emphasised that while these minors lack criminal records and are typically advised and released, their presence in criminal hotspots remains a matter of extreme concern.
He urged heightened parental vigilance, stressing the need for families to track their children’s movements and associations.
Meanwhile, the government is intensifying efforts to prevent youth delinquency, with over 160 children currently enrolled in state-run rehabilitation programmes.
At the same press conference, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusan announced progress in the Hope Island project—a rehabilitation initiative for at-risk youth—confirming the identification of a cross-subsidy investor to support the programme.