Senior access to manned police counters and targeted face-to-face assistance amid progressive roll-out of self-help kiosks and counter closures

Question:

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik: To ask the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs with the progressive roll-out of self-help kiosks and closure of manned counters (a) what proportion of police reports lodged at self-help kiosks since 2023 were by seniors aged 65 and above; (b) what is the maximum distance a senior needs to travel to reach a manned counter; and (c) what targeted assistance is available to seniors requiring face-to-face help from an officer.


Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. The Police do not track the requested statistics.

2. We have explained several times, including in this House, that the Police face severe manpower constraints. The Police have to devote resources to crime-fighting. This means the Police have to increase the use of technology, in other areas, to free up Police manpower.

3. We have explained in this House that there are multiple avenues for members of the public, including seniors, to lodge Police reports. Manned Police service counters continue to be available at a number of locations across Singapore. At self-help kiosks, persons who require assistance can speak to a Police officer through video call. The officer will guide the caller through the report-lodging process and remotely lodge the report on their behalf if necessary.