FENLAND police were able to take advantage of new technology in 1966 when all beat patrol officers were issued with two-way radio sets. The sets had a range of up to three miles in towns and more than that in rural areas. In tests the tiny sets had sent m

FENLAND police were able to take advantage of new technology in 1966 when all beat patrol officers were issued with two-way radio sets.

The sets had a range of up to three miles in towns and more than that in rural areas. In tests the tiny sets had sent messages from as far away as Coates to headquarters in March, and from Guyhirn to Chatteris.

A master set was situated in the communications room at March Police Station and messages could be sent to patrolling officers, directing them to trouble spots, scenes of crime and accidents.

In our pictures March police officers can be seen working with the radio. Pc Ken Clift is using his radio while on patrol and Pc R Fulcher, watched by a civilian clerk, speaks to an outside officer from the master set in the police station.