EYES OF SCOTLAND YARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1921, Page 3

EYES OF SCOTLAND YARD.

HOW THE FLYING SQUAD WORKS. The “Flying Squad” of Scotland Yard has billy been established «■ comparatively short time, but solne huhdreiis of* the worst criminals in Bmdon have* been rounded up owing to its activities. • The “squad” was originally formed following upon the grave epidemic ol crime which broke out after tb,< cl< of the war. London was sub-divided into four areas, each of which was allotted to - detective superintendent, hence the title “The Big Four. - ’ by which such expects as Superintendent Wensley , Superintendent Carlin, Superintendent Hawkins and Superintendent Neal are known. How to check the epidemic was a pressing problem, and finally a system wan evolved whereby, instead of waiting for a crime to be committed aiul then tracking down the criminal Seot- | land Yard would have first blood—in other words, step in before the careful-ly-planned burglary of house-breaking job could be carried out (writes Mr .). Meaney in the London “Daily Express”). Tn get right* inside the criminals brain, learn bis secrets and then forestall bis actions was the great ambition of the sponsors of the new j scheme. It was a delicate task, and Die situation' needed careful handling. 'Hie increasing use of pistols by the criminal classes was one of the most serious aspects of the problem, and praei tic-nlly the first business which the j “Flying Squad” set itself to accomplish was to smash up the armed gangs which were going about London and the suburbs. There were frequent encounters he--1 tween the Scotland Yard men and those I whose arrest was imperative for the safety of the general public. Whole i gangs were broken up. and the lingleaders captured, and within' a very short time the police were satisfied that they were the masters of th ( > situation. There upon began a systematic patrol. day and night, of the London area and special watch was kept on known haunts of thieves, such as railway stations, omnibus and tram car termini, race meetings, mush- halls, hotels and restaurants. In time the | “Flying Squad” got to knew :u'l that was going on in tlm crime community f and a. very great deal of what was projected hut was fore-doomed l> | failure.

The “Flying Squad” is really the eves and cat's of the Metropolitan Police Force.

The men who compose the “Flying Squad” are recruited from some of the smartest and most intellgent young members of the Criminal Investigation Department. There have been several instances recently of the utility and efficiency of this very up-to-date department. Only about a month ago five of the worst desperadoes in London were arrested at Marylebone,' and later sent to penal servitude. The movements of this gang had ben shadowed night, and day for weeks before they were suddenly pounced upon.

On another occasion members of the “Flying Squad” saw two innocentlooking men wheelin'' a h-ri' v t 1 •••“• n fashionable square in |l|e •’sn'ly

morning. Their suspicions were aroused and when the’men were taken to the police station they were identified as two expert safebreakers.

The type of criminal most dreaded is the armed burglar or hold-up man, but with the increased precautions which are now being taken lie is gradually disappearing. ' London is a much safer place to live in now than it was eighteen months ago. and for this boom much credit is due to the “Flying Squad”; which is really Scotland itself in a pocket edition.