THEY are young, brash and thuggish. And they harass debtors on the orders of loan sharks.

Now, this new breed of criminals, including one as young as 12, is in big trouble.

Over the last two weeks, more than 15 youths, among them dropouts, students and national servicemen, have been arrested as police continue a relentless operation against loan-shark syndicates here.

The youths - both boys and girls - were among nearly 50 people caught in islandwide swoops recently.

In the latest operation, four youths, aged between 16 and 24, were caught on Monday.

At about 8.30am that day, police detained a 17- year-old girl after responding to a case of loan-shark harassment in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1.

A marker pen, an ATM card and a lighter were among the items found in her possession.

Officers who conducted extensive investigations and inquiries managed to establish the identities of her accomplices, and raided several locations in Marsiling Lane, Whampoa Drive and Jurong West.

The raids netted a 16-year-old boy and two other female suspects, aged 20 and 24.

"Following preliminary investigations, the group is believed to be responsible for multiple loan-shark harassment (cases) islandwide, including...setting fire to items outside units at Hougang, Woodlands and West Coast," a police spokesman said.

Just last week, the police crippled a major loan-shark syndicate when it arrested 19 people - 18 men and a woman - believed to be involved with the group.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and the Police Intelligence Department raided various locations islandwide and seized more than $35,000 in cash.

Other items seized included computers, mobile phones, storage media and suspected debtor records.

A first-time offender found guilty of loan-shark harassment may be fined up to $40,000, or jailed the maximum of three years, or both.

In addition, caning may be imposed on those who cause damage to property or harm to others while committing acts of loan-shark harassment.

Caning may be imposed on males aged 16 and above.

For more my paper stories click here.