MORE than 750 convicted sex and violent offenders, burglars and drug dealers have tried to land jobs as security guards and watchmen since licensing regulations were introduced three years ago.
Since the Security and Guarding Services (Licensing) Regulation took effect on December 1995, security guards have been forced to obtain licences in an effort to rid the industry of elderly watchmen who were often caught asleep on the job in building lobbies.
Police records show that 768 applicants for security personnel permits had been rejected since the regulation was introduced because they had criminal records.
Apart from having no convictions, restrictions also forced those aged over 70 in residential buildings to pass medical tests.
The issue was raised on Wednesday by Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong legislator Tam Yiu-chung, who has received four complaints from watchmen and building managers unable to obtain licences.
Police have so far issued 119,418 security personnel permits and received 123,805 applications.
Officers issuing the permits have to consider the applicant's criminal record.
