From: RustyBullethole, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sunday Telegraph - Connected 12.10.00
Smart crooks carry mobile phone guns
By Hannah Cleaver
GERMAN police are being put on their guard when dealing
with criminals carrying mobile phones after border guards
discovered some carrying "phone-guns".
They appear to be normal mobile phones but can fire four
bullets in quick succession. Officers have been advised
to be ready to draw their weapons when stopping a suspect
carrying a mobile phone. Birgit Heib, of the German Federal
Criminal Investigation Agency said: "You cannot tell these
mobile phones are weapons. It is only when you have one in
your hand that you realise that they are heavier."
Ten of the .22 calibre phone guns were confiscated in
Germany when a Croatian gun dealer was arrested trying to
smuggle them into Switzerland. The gun's bullets are fired
by pressing the phone buttons from five to eight. Konrad
Freiburg, head of Germany's police union, said: "This
completely new kind of weapon presents a monstrous danger
to every police officer. It can only mean for my colleagues
that they have to draw their weapons whenever a person being
checked pulls out their mobile phone."
Airports are increasing their security measures. Peter Dittel,
from the border police at Frankfurt airport, said: "Mobiles
being carried in hand luggage will now have to be checked
more carefully."
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Link to an artist impression of one of the phones
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/graphics/00/11/30/wmobbig.gif
Given that the UK has the worlds highest per capita ownership
of mobile phones, it won't be long before this provides
a ready excuse for another couple of armed police officers
"in fear of their lives".
Rusty
Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org
List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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