CAMERA SQUAD

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 116, 8 January 1932, Page 7

CAMERA SQUAD

SCOTLAND YARD CATCHES CRIMINALS WITH CAMERAS FLASHLIGHT DRAMA A new and highly promising weapon is being employed by Scotland Yard in an intensive war on motor bandits. They are catching them with cameras. The new camera squad operates a specially-de signed high-speed camera, which is carried in the pursuit cars of the Flying Squad. They take "snaps" of the bandit cars whenever these> come within range. Car crooks are already afraid of the Camera Squad. One who was captured lately could not understand how the police had traced him. He had operated in a car which easily outpaced the Flying Squad cars, and was even too fast for the motor cycles of the mobile police. But he had failed to outdistance the Camera Squad. Pictures of his speeding machine were obtained during the course of the unsuccessful pursuit, and copies of these were distributed over a wide area within a few hours of being taken. Although the pictures were obtairied at top speed and under the worst conditions, the photographs also revealed eertain characteristics about the driver which led to his identification. Word was flashed one evening to

Scotland Yard that a- gang of thieves in a high powered car were making a get-away through the West End. The car was recognised as one which had taken part in several daring raids, capable of a speed which gives even the fastest machines of the Flying Squad absolutely no chance. Among the gang are several women, one of whom often drives the speed car, her f ace maslced in huge motoring goggles. On this occasion the bandits had broken through tWo police cordons. Wireless instructions from the Yard picked up several squad cars cruising in different areas. The drivers were told to converge on the getaway machine, and try to head it towards Trafalgar Square. Meanwhile a Camera Squad had been dispatched from the Yard. Arriving at Trafalgar Square, the operators set up their cameras in the street on the chance that the raiders would head their way. Luclc was with them. The bandit machine tried to escape in another. direction, but was turned back by a Flying Squad machine. At a reckless pace it was driven across Trafalgar Square, the driver ignoring all signals to stop. The car came fairly close to the camera men. A flashlight flared and an excellent picture of the getaway car was secured as it hurtled through the square and down Northumberland Avenue. Because of their superior speed the bandits finally shook off pursuit. But the photographs secured by the Camera Squad were sent to police forces throughout the country. The raiders evidently know the use the police are making' of cameras. The blinds of the escaping car were drawn to screen the occupants. • The driver, however, was visible, and the car itself has characteristics to render identification possible, despite further camouflage.