Singapore — The number of people caught on camera for high-rise littering in Singapore is 73, since surveillance cameras were installed in housing areas last year, according to reports.

Some 880 cameras were placed in 581 locations, chosen where residents had complained of frequent high-rise littering, as an initiative by the National Environment Agency (NEA).

The 73 people were caught on camera in the act of throwing litter out of high-rise, as of December 4th.

The highest court fine given was S$4,800, to a repeat offender of high-rise littering.

The NEA said the surveillance cameras have helped to address the problem in 81 percent of the locations chosen.

Prior to setting up the cameras, just 42 people had been prosecuted for the offence over the previous decade.

Authorities receive thousands of complaints per year regarding high-rise littering, Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told Parliament last May. He suggested that the penalties, which starts with a fine of up to $1,000 for first-time offenders, may need to be reviewed.

Liak Teng Lit, chairman of the Public Hygiene Council, contended: “It can’t be helped — there’s a small minority of the population, in any population, (of which) about 3 or 4 per cent of the people have personality disorders”, according to reports.

“They are the people who can’t relate to other people, they don’t care about other people. So they will always be doing these kinds of things.”