POLICE arrested a 29-year-old man last Saturday afternoon for loan-shark harassment in Redhill Close housing estate.

Since early this month, the police had received several reports of loan-shark harassment in the housing estate.

These involved paint splashed on walls or warnings written by loan sharks.

Officers from the Clementi Police Division then patrolled the area more frequently and also conducted numerous stake-outs in the vicinity.

Last Saturday, at about 3.30pm, they spotted a man behaving suspiciously outside a flat and approached him.

He fled down the stairs but was caught after a short chase.

The officers found marker pens and a can of paint - items often used in loan-shark harassment - in his possession.

He will be charged in court today for loan-shark harassment under the Moneylenders' Act.

First-time offenders guilty of loan-shark harassment can be jailed for up to three years and/or fined up to $40,000.

They can also be caned if they caused damage to property or hurt anyone.

Clementi Police Division commander Ng Yeow Boon commended his officers for their perseverance and vigilance, which led to the arrest.

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