SWIFT FLYING-SQUAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 980, 24 May 1930, Page 27

SWIFT FLYING-SQUAD

FASTER CARS FOR LONDON POLICE 100 MILES AN HOUR I The up-to-date criminal with a highpowered motor-car is to be countered by a still more mobile Flying Squad organised by Scotland Yard. The Yard is testing four new types of powerful car, capable of a speed of 100 miles an hour, for the war against the flying criminal. The new cars, which are of a make not hitherto used by the police, are capable of tremendous speed, . Hidden Letters In place of the hidden bell which the older type of Flying Squad cars were fitted with, a distinctive type of electric horn has been fitted, easily recognisable by traffic police. On the wind-screen the letters “M.P.,” surmounted by the crown, are shown up In electric lights. When the car is on patrol the letters are cleverly hidden by a screen which lies flat against the roof. Each of the new cars is of the saloon type, the old-fashioned tourer with hood having been abandoned. In appearance they are just ordinary cars with no distinctive features. Behind the rear seat in a compact locker is a powerful wireless set, by means of which the detectives are kept in constant touch with headquarters and receive orders. The cars have seating accommodation for five to six persons. Alert Bandits The changes have been made necessary owing to the fact that the oid type of car used by the squad was recognised by criminals no matter how frequently disguises were adopted. It is well known to the squad that bandits had a complete list of the number plates of the old cars, together with the fullest description of each vehicle. A number of commercial vans, fitted with powerful engines, are still in use by the squad, but it is with the new private car, the very last word in motor-car production, that the squad hope to check the operations of the bandits.