“FLANNEL FOOT” THE THIEF

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 113, 6 February 1937, Page 18

“FLANNEL FOOT” THE THIEF

Capture Evaded For 20 Years A gratuity and a fortnight's extra holiday await the London policeman who can capture “Flannel Foot,” said the “Dally Mail.” London, recently. For the first time in its history. Scotland Yard has made this innovation in an effort to lay by the heels the suburban burglar who for more than 20 years has kept the police at bay. It is not on record that he has once fallen into the police net during that long period. Several conferences have recently been held at which instructions were issued to detectives regarding the man’s activities. “Flannel Foot” has never committed a burglary iu Central London and the search is confined to the outskirts. Recently Central London detectives were sent on his trail to suburban areas. Every week since last July, when “Flannel Foot” returned from the holiday—which he told the police at Wealdstone by telephone be was about' to take —robberies have been reported in all parts of Outer London. Thousands of pounds have been spent on schemes to capture him. but one of the reasons that he retains his freedom is that he works alone and with the utmost caution. Day after day “Flannel Foot” in the early hours of the morning breaks into houses, steals portable articles, and rides away on a stolen bicycle. Each raid is in the same district, thereby satisfying the authorities that there is only one man at work.