GAMBLING and prostitution activities in Geylang are under control, said Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Law and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Prof Ho was responding to a question in Parliament on Monday from NMP Kalyani Mehta, who had asked what authorities plan to do about the 'rampant gambling and prostitution activities' in Geylang. Prof Ho said more vice-related operations were carried out by police last year.

More than 5,400 foreign prostitutes were arrested in these operations, up 25 per cent over 2006, said Prof Ho. In addition, vice control measures are in place, such as the use of closed circuit television cameras in the area.

Police also arrested 280 people for illegal gambling during the year, added Prof Ho.

'As a result of these operations, police's assessment is that the situation has improved. Public gaming activities are now significantly less frequent and are smaller in scale,' he said.