Radio at Scotland Yard

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 17, 8 November 1929, Page 15

Radio at Scotland Yard

Tits Use ‘in Criminal ~ Hunting, NE of the most interesting adap- _ tions of modern wireless lies in -its use for maintaining a quick, ready, and secret means of communication for police work. Wireless for police purposes is still in its infancy, but Scotland Yard engineers claim: to have evolved compact and efficient installations far in advance of those in pre-sent-day use. © It is now stated that Scotland Yard has the most efficient police wireless system in the world. Scotland Yard engineers, as far back as 1921, commenced making experiments in radio transmission from motor vehicles, and it was found that though telephony was excellent for short transmissions, it was useless for distance work or for maintaining communication when the cars of the "Flying Squad" were travelling at high speeds. Consequently telephony was abandoned in favour of the Morse code, and greater range and reliability was attained. The aerials used in the first experiments were supported on the roofs of the cars, and their appearance earned for Scotland Yard vans the nickname of the "lying Bedsteads." The modern vans, however, are difficult to distinguish from ordinary tradesmen’s delivery vans, for the sets are tucked away inside, and there is no outward indication’ of an aerial, These vans, together with other detachments of the Squad-"private saloons" or ordinary tourers-are patrolling London day and night, and are in constant touch with headquarters. A code message from Scotland Yard can mobilise these vans at a few seconds’ notice, or can acquaint every vehicle of the Flying squad with the news that, for example, a robbery has taken place and the thieves have made their get"away in a car. . Instantly every unit of the Flying Squad in the vicinity of the robbery converges on the desired. goal, reporting progress to, the Yard on the way. Itis a fascinating drama that is played out on the highways, and the bandits are usually aghast to see a "van from: nowhere" right on their trail. ‘The frequency at Scotland Yard is kept secret, and for transmission purposes a police code of a specially secret character is used, in conformation with international arrangements with other police forces, ‘

Scotland Yard’s main ‘wireless station is in constant communication with America, Canada, and Australia, and for some years now finger-prints by means of codes ‘have’ been wirelessed across the world, at the request of some Dominion or some foreign Power. Recent experiments have been conducted in picture transmission, and it is probable that in the near future portraits of "wanted" or "suspected" men will be transmitted across the seas to assist in the continuous war against erime,