POLICING THE AIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17145, 26 April 1919, Page 2 (Supplement)

POLICING THE AIR.

A NEW BRITISH FORCE. A new British force of air police is being organised to work in conjunction with the existing Customs ana police services. Ii will ho directed by General Sykes, tie new controller of civilian flying, and will he divided into two branches— soo-ils and a larger body of aerodrome police. A distinctive uniform will be worn. The police will bo stationed at variouß points around the coast to be known as "arrival stations," at which all machines corning from overseas will be compelled to land. It will bo thej duty of the for* bransh of the air police to examine t!)6 machines for contraband, concealod cameras, and arms, and ascertain from the pilot, whose papers will be examined, the courso which he intends to follow in the British Isles. Prohibited area-", such'as powder factories, arsenals, dockyards, and the like, will bo pointed out to him, and aerodromes notified in advance of the registration 'nark of his machine. 'lie pursuit sot Mis' chief duty will be the heading off of negligent airmen from prohibited area;!. ' Any small object dropped from an aeroplane through tho roof of a powder mill is considered by cxpeAs to bo sufiicu'nt to cause an explosion, and regulations in this respect are likely to bo very drastic. The scouts, it is understood, will be waned with mftohino-gnna,