SCOTLAND YARD

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1929, Page 2

SCOTLAND YARD

FIGHTING THE MODERN V CRIMINAL. _L—

\ BRIGHTON, July 23

A plan for wireless communication between,all police forces and Scotland Yard was referred to by Major T. H. Vitty, the engineer to the Metropolitan Police, at the annual general conference of the Chief Constable Association here to-day. He said that tv*' or three years ago experiments which might lead to intercommunication in this way were carried out, and he hoped that the experiment would soon be resumed. He continued •

There is no doubt that inter-commun-ication by wireless is coming. The wireless installation at present in use at Scotland Yard has a radius of 50 to 100 miles. There is no technical obstacle to that range being extended. Indeed, apart from the cost, there is no reason why every provincial headquarters in the country should notbe in communication with one another and with Scotland Yard by wireless. Major Vitty suggested that before wireless was installed by th‘e provincial police they should consult Scot]pud Yard so as to enstoe a standard service. 75-MILES-AN-HOUR CARS'.

He said that when he was appointed in 1920 the “Yard” fleet off motor-cars numbered 30. Now there are 220 cars and the fleet would soon be largely increased. He continued :

The Flying Squad’s cars now ‘being supplied are of heavy construction, cap able of carrying fbur police officers at a maximum speed of 75 miles an hour on top gear and at a speed of 55 to 60 miles an hour on third gear. The chief feature of the cars is;quick acceleration. They will accelerate from 10 to 60 miles an hour in To seconds.

The colour of those now in use is constantly being varied. Registration numbers are changed and special cowls are fitted to the radiator so that their shape can be altered. It is possible to change the colour in 24 hours.

. .Major Vitty explained the value off wireless co-operation between Scotland Yard and the Flying Squad. At all hours of the day and night men are on duty at Scotland Yard sending out and receiving messages from Flying Squad cars and fast vans. As an example of how the Flying Squad are constantly catchirig thieves he said that recently information was received at Scotland Yard at 1.5 V a.m. that a car had been stolen. The facts were broadcasted by wireless and the stolen car with the thieves in it was caught at 1 To. a.m. GANG QF WOMEN CAUGHT.

In another case, Scotland Yard was informed by telephone that a number of notorious women shoplifters .were drinking in a public house. The Flying, Squad were warned by wireless and a car waited outside the public house until the gang left. The police car followed the woman with the result that the whole gang was caught redhanded shoplifting in a large stoi‘B. Very recently experiments had been carried out with the idea of transmitting by wireless photographs and finger-prints of criminals.