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Standoff on Sidney Street, Stepney, London, 3rd January 1911 (1937). Artist: Central Press
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Standoff on Sidney Street, Stepney, London, 3rd January 1911 (1937). Artist: Central Press
Standoff on Sidney Street, Stepney, London, 3rd January 1911 (1937). The Sidney Street siege occurred after a gang of heavily armed Latvian burglars shot five police officers who attempted to arrest them as they attempted to break into a jewellers shop. Four of the policemen died. Three members of the gang were cornered at 100 Sidney Street and surrounded by the police. A gunfight ensued, but the police had inferior weapons and reinforcements in the form of soldiers from the Scots Guards were called in by order of Home Secretary Winston Churchill, who arrived to observe the scene himself. After six hours of fighting, the building caught fire and Churchill controversially gave the order that the Fire Brigade take no action. Two of the burglars bodies were discovered in the burned out building but no trace of the third was ever found. A print from The Story of Seventy Momentous Years, the Life and Times of King George V, 1865-1936, editor Harold Wheeler, Odhams Press Ltd, London, 1937
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Media ID 14951512
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Churchill East End Law And Order Police Police Force Policeman Print Collector12 Regiment Rifle Scots Guards Siege Sir Winston Sir Winston Churchill Stepney Tower Hamlets Waiting Winston Winston Churchill Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill Central Press Metaphor Sidney Street Sidney Street Siege Stand Off
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the intense standoff that took place on Sidney Street in Stepney, London, on January 3rd, 1911. The artist behind this powerful image is Central Press, who skillfully portrays the dramatic events of that fateful day. The Sidney Street siege unfolded when a group of heavily armed Latvian burglars opened fire on five police officers attempting to apprehend them during a burglary at a jeweler's shop. Tragically, four policemen lost their lives in the shootout. In response to this violent confrontation, three members of the gang found themselves cornered at 100 Sidney Street and surrounded by law enforcement. As tensions escalated, an intense gunfight ensued between the outnumbered criminals and the police force. Recognizing their need for additional support, Home Secretary Winston Churchill ordered reinforcements from the Scots Guards to join the operation. Churchill himself arrived at the scene to witness firsthand this harrowing event. After six hours of relentless fighting, flames engulfed the building where these desperate criminals had taken refuge. Controversially, Churchill made a controversial decision not to allow firefighters to intervene as it was believed one or more gang members were still inside. Ultimately, two bodies were recovered from within the charred remains while no trace of one burglar was ever found. This historic photograph serves as a haunting reminder of both bravery and tragedy that unfolded on that unforgettable day in London's history.
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