SINGAPORE — Two teenage boys aged 12 and 17 are under investigation after spittle was found on the mirror and buttons of lifts in two separate public housing estates.

The police said in a statement on Friday (Feb 28) that two reports were made on Feb 23 and 25.

Last week, transport operator SBS Transit made a police report after it found spittle on the lift buttons at Rumbia LRT station, located on the Sengkang East LRT system.

The police are already investigating three teenagers for the offence of mischief in that case.

In the latest incidents, the lifts are located in housing blocks along Punggol Walk and Ang Mo Kio Street 52.

The two boys’ identities were uncovered by officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division with the aid of police surveillance cameras.

“These incidents had caused alarm and annoyance at a time when Singapore is dealing with the Covid-19 situation, and infections can spread indirectly through contaminated surfaces,” the police said.

They added that they take a serious view of such inconsiderate and irresponsible behaviour and if found guilty, the culprits can be fined up to S$2,000. 

Singapore confirmed its first case of Covid-19 infection on Jan 23 and the outbreak has sickened close to 100 people here. About 30 people are still hospitalised and of these, seven people are in critical condition under intensive care as of Friday noon.