GUNMEN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 February 1927, Page 9

GUNMEN.

GANGS IN LONDON. POLICE ENLIST CIVILIANS. LONDON, Jan. 31. In consequence of gunmen invading London and surrounding districts, and operating in gangs as cracksmen ahd house-breakers, Scotland Yard is creating a new flying squad under officers specially experienced in dealing with the underworld, says the Star. The authorities have decided that, in the event of a further increase in this new type of crime, it may be necessary to arm the police. It is pointed out that many crooks immediately fire when challenged, and have also threatened several high police officers. The Home Office has sanctioned “superior special constabulary” in Hertfordshire, consisting of gentlemen farmers and city men, numbering 1500, of whom 400 will be the first line. They will be enlisted for three years, given uniforms, will be drilled, and will assists the police at race meetings, in traffic regulation and burglar-hunting in the event of emergencies. The remaindor will be in reserve. Flying Squad. The Flying Squad broke up several gangs of house-breakers by adopting the new method of watching districts where burglaries were Tife and sending out a force of detectives in motor tenders when the presence of the criminals was signalled. The latest incident resulted in four arrests at New Cross after a 15-minutes’ light on a street corner, in which detectives used the new special truncheons and bundled the captives into the tenders and drove off. A constable patrolling the grounds of a Guildford residence saw a hole in a window. A man ran out. of the front door, and a policeman chased him to the hedges near a ditch. The man pulled out a loaded revolver, but the policeman, with a .ju-jitsu twist threw his assailant, and took possession of stolen ! jewellery.