FIGHTING CRIME.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18608, 2 July 1930, Page 2

FIGHTING CRIME.

BY WIRELESS NET. Details of the nation-wide wireless net for criminals promised as the result of a suggestion made to a conference of British county chief constables at the Home Office, are given by the "Dally Telegraph.” The proposal was to set up three main wireless stations for the immediate interchange of information regarding crimes and the movements of criminals, and the distribution of this information to sub-stations and divisional offices. The stations would be at Scotland Yard Midlands (.probably Birmingham), and North (Glasgow or Edinburgh). A more detailed scheme, which would have cost about £3,000,000, was shelved on the score of expense. The need of widespread measures to combat crime was illustrated by the discovery of an international gang of motor thieves operating between America and Europe. The “Daily Telegraph” stated that various scheme for the linking up by wireless of police stations throughout Great Britain were discussed at the conference of county chief constables. The proposal referred to found greatest favour. It was that three main wireless stations should be equipped—one at New Scotland Yard, one in the Midlands, and one in the north, in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Each of these three main stations would be in wireless communication with various sub-stations—county and borough headquarters—and these, again, would distribute news to their own divisional stations, probably by ordinary telephone. All messages would be sent in Morse telegraphic code, which for police purposes is regarded as quicker and more reliable than wireless telephony. Suppose, for instance, Scotland Yard were informed of a burglary in a country mansion in Bedfordshire. The London police would not only Hash the news to all stations and patrol cars in their area, but would also wireless it to Birmingham, who, in turn, would take immediate measures to‘inform all stations in their area. , A Closer Net. Another and more ambitious scheme was put forward, but this was shelved, for the present, at any rate, owing to cost, which was estimated at £3,0u0,000. This provided for the installation of powerful wireless receiving and transmitting apparatus at all constabulary headquarters, with minor installations at divisional stations. Under this scheme it would have been possible to communicate news of any crime to all stations in the kingdom without any loss of time. Such a system would probably deal the death-blow to motor-car bandits who tour the country committing raids on country houses, large stores, and shops and warehouses. It was thought, however, that although this wireless net would doubtless have to be spread at some future date, the authorities must for the moment edntent themselves with something more modest and consequently less expensive. Various other suggestions were placed before the chief constables, and these are to be thoroughly ‘ explored at further meetings before any definite decision is arrived at. Problem of Cost. The question of the apportionment of cost of any country-wide wireless scheme would be a matter of arrangement between the Home Office, the county councils, and various borough councils, but it is not likely that there will be any difficulty in arriving at a fair adjustment. The authorities are fully alive to the necessity for steps of this character. New Scotland Yard, of course, has been equipped with wireless apparatus for over three years, and it has been effectively used in connection with the wireless-equipped Flying Squad motorcars, which have trapped some of the worst thieves in the country.