POLICE plans to install a life-saving phone tracing system have been delayed because of proposals to offer this service to the public.
The equipment which police want to install at their three regional control and command centres would display the numbers of emergency calls.
But the proposals are being held up until the Government rules on the results of a consultation paper on a wider system which Hongkong Telecom wants to introduce to cut nuisance calls.
The scheme is being challenged by organisations running confidential helplines because they fear people might be discouraged from calling.
Police communications branch's Senior Superintendent Jim Langton said it was uncertain when a final decision to install the equipment might be made. But he said it would help save vital seconds, allowing police operators to pinpoint the locations of incidents.
'If there's an old lady who's collapsed on the other end of the line we have no direct way of finding out her number,' he said.
'It could save lives,' said Mr Langton.