THEIR SECRET GUARD

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 148, 20 December 1930, Page 25

THEIR SECRET GUARD

Every time any important represcnJRtive of a foreign Power visits Great Britain, whether it be a Minister, a lation's business adviser, or a Royal personage, Scotland Yard wrinkles its ivow in thought. A few instructions arc given, one or iwo messages Bent out, without fuss or publicity, and our very perfect police irganisation takes in hand the job of making the visit run without a, single litch (says a contributor to the "Evening Standard"). One of the jobs of the- particular department of New Scotland Yard to tvhich I used to be attached was to see that our country retained its repusation for this kind of safety. There ?rould be most unpleasant international jomplications if anything untoward happened. Our first care, by means of our intricate and perfectly-linked organisation, aot only in' Great Britain, but with the co-operation of the police ana detectives of the visitor's and many another foreign State, is to look through the lists of all the known "possibles" who might give trouble. This includes anarchist associations ind dangerous malcontents, doubtful Miens—particularly those from the

VISITORS IN BRITAIN

prince's own country—agitators likely to stir up trouble, over-active tubthumpers, and, in fact, anyone with a motive for making a sensation. These people are carefully watched, and arrangements made with local police which would result in an arrest should they attempt anything likely to cause a breach of the .King's peace. This action really draws the teeth of the danger. But every inch of the route the visitor will follow is carefully watched and police-guarded, every railway line to be used doubly tested immediately before the "special" approaches, street-crowds are kept moving, and inflammatory public speaking among them stopped at once. Extra care is taken all along the route to prevent the carrying of firearms by unauthorised people; public halls where ceremonies are to be held are combed of uninvited guests, and of any persons whose bearing or history renders them open to suspicion. Perhaps the greatest safeguard of all is the quickness of observation, combined with a cheery good nature, unequalled anywhere else in the world, which makes the British "bobby" the brother .of the British crowd.