TWO-UP SCHOOL RAID

Evening Star, Issue 18158, 26 December 1922, Page 9

TWO-UP SCHOOL RAID

CLEVER POLICE TACTICS, Twenty-four police officers raided a “two-up” school at Fishermen’s Bend, Port Melbourne, recently, and by means of clover tactics succeeded in arresting forty-one youths and men.. The plan:of attack (says the ‘Argus) was simple in conception and successfully executed. Plainclothes Constable Cavana<h, leisurely-driving a covered-in caravan among the sandhills, excited no suspicion, the appearance of the vehicle being no different from those used by other picnic parties scattered along the foreshore. Inside the van were live constables. Meanwhile four motor cars containing sixteen young constables from tho depot, under Sergeant Fraser, _ converged from different directions. _ This circumstance also created no curiosity. _ Having driven tho caravan almost to within 20yds of the school, Constable Cavanagh alighted and surprised the gamblers, who fled in all directions. As soon as Constable Cavanagh rushed up, the other police deployed, and made a ring round the crowd. The spectators around the gamblers included four plainclothes constables, so that all that most of tho policemen had to do was to hold their men before they had a chance to run far. The “school numbered about 130, and the numbci of arrests was limited, only by the number of constables, who averaged nearly two captives each. A constable with fieldglasses assisted in tho operations, and Plainclothes Constables Grant and I rasot took part in directing the raid. ' borne players, it is alleged, made their escape in fishing boats. The men were taken to Port Mmbourne police station, and were released on bail.