Digicops busy with new borderland permits

Police are taking another step to go digital, rolling out a new online platform today for people to apply for closed area permits, including to Sha Tau Kok on the border.

Apart from closed area permits, the platform will also allow people to apply for road event permits and location filming permits in the first phase.

People can register an account and log into the platform via email, mobile phones, iAM Smart and iAM Smart+ with their particulars to facilitate applications.

The platform, which costs about HK$20 million, will be providing more services in the second phase starting September, like checking for sexual offenses and criminal conviction records, applying for a certificate of no criminal conviction, and registering the 992 emergency SMS service.

The platform will also allow people to apply to adopt retired police dogs and for overseas law enforcement agencies to visit the Hong Kong Police College in the third phase starting in February 2025.

The first stage of the opening of Sha Tau Kok from June 2022 restricted guided tours to the Sha Tau Kok Pier, with a quota of 500 on weekends and public holidays.

In the second stage of the opening starting New Year's Day, the quota will increase to 1,000 daily, including 300 for individuals and 700 for guided tours.

By then all areas in Sha Tau Kok will be open to the public except for Chung Ying Street.

The platform will also process permit applications for Sha Tau Kok's second stage of opening starting this Friday as it will generate an electronic permit that comes with a QR code for applicants to download and display.

Travel agencies can also apply for permits from the Security Bureau and the Travel Industry Council.

People should submit applications on the platform at least three working days before they are required.

Application services for all closed area electronic permits will be available by the third quarter of 2024 at the latest, acting chief inspector Cheung Ka-man of the force's operations wings said.

Chief inspector Chung Kit-ying of the information systems wing said officers picked the road events and location filming permits to pilot the platform due to their lower demand.