FIGHTING CRIME.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1924, Page 11

FIGHTING CRIME.

USE OF WIRELESS. An ordinary-looking touring car made a long run through Sydney city and suflburbs the other night (says the Guardian). But for all its ordinary looks, it represented one of tlie strongest anticriminal weapons yet brought into action. It was the wireless patrol. The mobile wireless set, something

new to Sydney, but of proved value in Melbourne, has been installed by Amalga mated Wireless, Ltd. The aerial is 220 feet long, but it is so cleverly disposed under the hood that a cursory glance would miss it. The set is of 7-valve type, and power is supplied by a 6-volt motor. Neither is bulky in appearance, and they are set up behind the driver’s seat. IN THE BACK. The operator sits on the back seat. Save for a small ear-piece clamped to his head, he looks just like an ordinary passenger. But even when the car is tearing along at 00 miles an hour he can receive and send messages up to a distance of 20 miles. Messages, such as the patrol receives, are only for police ears. So they are despatched and received in Morse code. At the experimental station of Amalgamated Wireless, Ltd., at Willoughby, is an operator specially deputed for police duty. While the wireless patrol is in action he is in direct touch with Police Headquarters. A special telephone line was laid for this purpose. LIGHTNING ALARMS. It is believed that, with the wireless car in action, the Night Patrol will be able to receive an alarm in the space of a minute or so from the time that the police are informed. At present, the Night Patrol cars only receive messages when they make calls, at 20 minute intervals, at the various stations. The time gained under the innovation should be invaluable. But Inspector-General Mitchell is not 'Scotch for nothing. In effect, he said to Amalgamated Wireless, Ltd.: ,I’ll give you a month in which to prove the value of yqur mobile installation. Wb’ll watch the experiment, and if it delivers the goods, I’ll recommend its adoption. The experiment started last night. If it is successful, the night workers of the underworld will have to buy aeroplanes.