Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post Explained

Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post, formerly the North Canal Road Post Office, is a neighbourhood police post on North Canal Road serving the Kreta Ayer Precinct in Chinatown, Singapore.

History

The North Canal Road Post Office was opened in 1908.[1] It was built in the standard post office design used by the British Colonial Administration. It features a decorative arch and two large moulded brackets, as well as a hip roof. It was closed from 1972 to 1973 due to renovations. In 1988, it was closed as it had been replaced by a newer post office on nearby Pickering Street. The building was initially to be demolished.[2] However, it was instead reopened as the Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post on 15 January 1990, becoming the first neighbourhood police post within the Central Business District.[3] By 1995, crime rates in the surrounding area had fallen by about twenty percent.[1] As it was located between the Ministry of Labour building and the Pidemco Centre which housed the Singapore Immigration Department, the post was a popular place to report loss of work permits or passports. It was amongst the busiest neighbour police posts, averaging around 600 reports a month.[4] Beginning in 2000, those wishing to hold an event at the nearby Speakers' Corner were required to apply for a permit at the post.[2]

The post is the only two-storey police post in Singapore. The building was placed on the Police Heritage Trail, which was launched on 26 November 2020.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post, 55 North Canal Road. . Roots. National Heritage Board. 14 April 2024.
  2. Web site: Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post. . Roots. National Heritage Board. 14 April 2024.
  3. News: 12 January 1995. Sgt Lee: How I nabbed a kidnapper. The Straits Times. Singapore. 14 April 2024.
  4. News: 12 January 1995. Kreta Ayer NPP among Singapore's busiest. The Straits Times. Singapore. 14 April 2024.
  5. News: Wong. Cara. 27 November 2020. Singapore Police Force marks 200th anniversary with heritage trail. The Straits Times. Singapore. 14 April 2024.