After the East India Company disbanded in 1867, Singapore became a British crown colony ruled by Queen Victoria. Law and order was difficult to maintain due to large secret societies involved in illegal activities. The police force was small and poorly equipped at first. Over time, the government improved law enforcement by increasing police pay, training, and hiring Chinese and Malay speakers. The Chinese Protectorate was established to help the Chinese community and address problems like abuse of immigrants. The government also set up schools and hospitals to improve public health, though they were reluctant to support Chinese schools fully. Overall, Singapore prospered under British rule despite some discrimination against Asians.

1. History Learning Log – Chapter 4 :D Nicole Ng of S209 (14)

4. CRIME. In the British settlement (: Keeping law and order was difficult as the population was large. There were Chinese secret societies, abuse of new immigrants and piracy. Thousands of men were in secret societies which were involved in activities that were against the law. They ran opium houses,brothels and gambling dens. Secret societies were formed to help new immigrants, give them a sense of security and provide protection, and a sense of brotherhood which they badly needed in a foreign land. The British government only tackled these problems in the late 1870s.

5. How was law and order improved? In the early 19th century the police force was small and thus unable to maintain law and order in Singapore. Few people joined it as policemen were poorly paid and equipped. There were no Chinese, and thus the police were unable to get information from the Chinese. Often, the army was called in to help the police. The government raised the pays for the policemen and provided proper training in order to improve them. They also employed officials who could speak Malay and Chinese dialects.

6. The Chinese Protectorate It was set up to address problems related to the Chinese community. The Chinese Community was persuaded to settle their quarrels at the Protectorate instead of going to secret societies. Officers also inspect all the ships from China and coolie houses to ensure no one was mistreated. An office was set up to rescue young girls sold into brothels and provided shelter to those who were poorly treated as servants. However, fights and abuses of the coolie and women still existed.

7. SOCIAL SERVICES (: The government set up English and Malay schools and provided grants in order to meet the demand for English-trained people to work as posts in the Government office and trading companies. However, the government seemed to neglect the Chinese schools as they believed these schools bred an anti-British among their students.

8. Health ~ The death rates were extremely high despite being a growing port. A Health Public Department was set upto improve public health. A General hospital was also built for those who suffered mental illnesses and outpatients clinics were also set up to serve the public. By 1940, the public health improved and spread of diseases were reduced.

9. Asians were often discriminated by the British government. High ranking officials were often Europeans and not the asians despite being well-qualified. Skin colour was what that mattered. Despite restrictions, Singapore fared well under the British.