Helsinki Police deliver record 27,540 passports in March due to rush

The Helsinki Police Department delivered a record number of 27,540 passports in March following huge rush at the licence services.

A total of 12,855 passports were granted in February and 8,851 in January, said Helsinki police in a press released published in English on Saturday, which was earlier published in Finnish.

‘In March, we delivered 27,540 passports. We also manage other licences and permits, but naturally, handling the overloaded passport service is our first priority,’ said Superintendent Pekka Kallio, department licence manager.

The Helsinki Police are serving clients by appointment during the weekends as well.

New appointments become available every day but the increasing demand cannot be fully met.

The queueing times at the Pasila service point for licences have ranged from 0 to 4 hours in April.

Police also urged the people to apply for a new passport later, if the passport is not need within the next few months.

Earlier in March, the Helsinki Police urged the people to not apply for passport, if it is not urgent due to huge rush at the licence services.