Singapore treats the risk of a terror attack as a matter to prepare for calmly and practically rather than to fear. The national response to that risk is organised in large part through SGSecure counter-terrorism in Singapore, a movement that helps residents stay alert, know what to do, and support one another if an incident ever occurs. This guide explains what SGSecure is, how the widely taught “Run, Hide, Tell” advice works, and where to find official guidance, all presented soberly and factually.
SGSecure is a national movement launched to rally the community against the threat of terror. It is coordinated by the Ministry of Home Affairs and its agencies, and it emphasises that public vigilance and readiness strengthen the country’s overall security. For current advice, always rely on the official SGSecure website and gov.sg.
What SGSecure Is
SGSecure is Singapore’s national movement to sensitise, train, and mobilise the community to prevent and deal with a terror attack. The core message is that counter-terrorism is not only the work of security agencies; residents, workplaces, and community groups all have a part to play in staying alert and being prepared.
The movement rests on a simple, practical idea. Ordinary people are often the first to notice something unusual and the first ones present if an incident happens. If the public knows how to spot warning signs, respond during an attack, and help afterwards, the whole country becomes more resilient. SGSecure therefore focuses on three broad ideas that are commonly summarised as being vigilant, staying united, and being prepared.
SGSecure works through several channels. These include public education, workplace preparedness, community events, and a mobile application that shares alerts and safety information. The specific features of the app and current programmes are updated over time, so the official SGSecure resources are the right place to check.
The Three Ideas Behind SGSecure
SGSecure is often explained through three connected ideas that guide how residents can contribute.
- Vigilance: Stay alert to your surroundings and report genuinely suspicious behaviour or unattended items to the authorities. Vigilance is about noticing, not about suspicion of any particular group.
- Cohesion: Stay united across races and religions, especially after an incident, so that a terror attack cannot achieve its aim of dividing society. Social trust is itself a form of defence.
- Resilience: Be prepared to respond and recover, from knowing basic emergency skills to supporting one another and returning to normal life steadily after a shock.
These ideas connect SGSecure to the wider national resilience framework, where staying united and staying prepared are recurring themes across everyday life.
How “Run, Hide, Tell” Works
A central piece of SGSecure public education is the “Run, Hide, Tell” advice, a simple sequence to remember if you are caught up in an armed or violent attack. It is taught internationally and promoted here as an easy way to recall what to do under stress.
| Step | What it means | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Run | Move away from danger if you safely can | Leave belongings behind, find a safe exit, help others move if possible |
| Hide | If you cannot run, find cover and stay quiet | Lock or barricade doors, silence your phone, stay out of sight |
| Tell | Alert the authorities when it is safe | Call the police, share location and details, follow official instructions |
The purpose of “Run, Hide, Tell” is to give people a clear default action rather than freezing. The exact wording and accompanying guidance, including advice on providing first aid and helping the injured once it is safe, are set out in official SGSecure materials, which should be treated as the authoritative version.
How to Report and Stay Informed
If you see something that could be a genuine threat, the standard advice is to alert the police. In an emergency, the police can be reached on 999, a stable and widely known number. SGSecure also provides channels, including its mobile application, for sharing information and receiving alerts. For non emergency tips, the authorities publish dedicated reporting channels; check the SGSecure and police websites for the current options.
Two points are worth stating clearly and neutrally. First, reporting should be based on behaviour and circumstances that are genuinely concerning, not on someone’s race, religion, or appearance. Singapore’s counter-terrorism messaging consistently stresses unity across communities. Second, if an incident happens, following instructions from the authorities and avoiding the spread of unverified information both help. Rumours and misinformation can cause harm, so it is better to rely on official updates.
Why Community Readiness Matters
Counter-terrorism in Singapore combines the work of security agencies with the preparedness of the public. Agencies within the Home Team carry out intelligence, security operations, and rapid response, while SGSecure equips the community to be alert and ready. The two reinforce each other: professional capability handles the threat, and public readiness reduces harm and speeds recovery.
For residents and newcomers, the practical takeaways are modest but useful. Know the emergency number, understand “Run, Hide, Tell,” consider installing the SGSecure app to receive alerts, and remember that staying united after any incident is part of the response. Workplaces and building managers may also run their own preparedness plans and drills, which are worth taking seriously.
Because threat levels, programmes, and app features can change, treat this guide as general information. For the current national threat assessment, specific advice, and the latest tools, refer to the official SGSecure website, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and gov.sg. Presenting the topic calmly and factually is itself part of good preparedness: the aim is readiness, not alarm.
Explore More
To understand the agencies behind counter-terrorism response, read The Home Team Explained, and see how public readiness fits national resilience in Total Defence and Its Pillars. For everyday policing and community links, see Neighbourhood Police Centres and Community Policing. Always confirm current guidance on the official SGSecure website and gov.sg.