SYDNEY “RACKET.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 852, 28 August 1933, Page 5

SYDNEY “RACKET.”

Gangs Operate Against Bookmakers. VICTIMS SILENT. (Special to the “Star.”) SYDNEY, August 19. Detectives who have been investigating the holding up of starting price bookmakers and sly grog sellers —and last night’s “ line-up ” of a Botany twoup school whom they robbed at the point of guns—declared to-day that they had been informed that the gang, fearing reprisals, had suddenly fled to Melbourne. The detectives stated that they expected that, sooner or later, at least one of the racketeers who had introduced an entirely novel style of crime to Sydney, would be dealt with by the victims. The police have learned that since the armed gang began its reign of terror and robbery, those who expect to be “ visited ” have equipped themselves with pistols and will not hesi* tate to shoot Detectives have endeavoured to induce the victims to lay a charge against the culprits, but the fear of revenge and imaginary police action against them for conducting illegal businesses has impelled them to keep silent. A fortnight ago, the Consorting Squad detained two men who were alleged by a starting price bookmaker to have robbed him at gunpoint. They were taken to the C. 1.8. and questioned, but despite his complaint, the informant broke down in his allegations, and declared that he was too scared to give evidence. He resolutely declined to make a written statement, and the detectives were obliged to release the suspects.