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Policemen guarding house in Sidney Street, East London
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Policemen guarding house in Sidney Street, East London
Policemen guarding the devastated house in Sidney Street, East London, after the Sidney Street Siege (popularly known as the Battle of Stepney) in East London. The siege took place when it was discovered that a gang of Latvian anarchists responsible for the deaths of three policemen during an attempted robbery were living at 100 Sidney Street. The street was cordoned off and the two sides fired at each other for some time. The siege ended with a fire inside the house, and the deaths of two of the gang. The involvement of the Guards was authorised by the Home Secretary, Winston Churchill, and caused some controversy. The leader of the gang, Peter the Painter, also known as Peter Piaktow (or Piatkov, Pjatkov, Piaktoff), was never found, and there is confusion over his true identity
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Media ID 4421631
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10410676
Anarchists Anarchy Attempted Burnt Churchill Controversy Deaths Devastated Gang Guarding Identity Ladder Latvia Latvian Painter Police Men Roadway Robbery Sidney Siege Stepney Winston Cordoned January
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph, policemen stand guard outside the devastated house at 100 Sidney Street in East London, following the intense and controversial Sidney Street Siege of January 1911. The siege began when it was discovered that a gang of Latvian anarchists, responsible for the deaths of three policemen during an attempted robbery, were holed up inside. The street was immediately cordoned off, and a tense standoff ensued between the two sides. For hours, they exchanged gunfire, with the police attempting to storm the house using ladders and other means to gain entry. The siege ended tragically when a fire broke out within the house, resulting in the deaths of two of the anarchists. The involvement of the Guards in the siege was authorized by the Home Secretary, Winston Churchill, and caused significant controversy. The leader of the gang, Peter the Painter, also known as Peter Piaktow, Pjatkov, Pjatkovas, or Piaktoff, was never found, and his true identity remains a subject of confusion to this day. The photograph captures the aftermath of the siege, with the burnt-out shell of the house in the background and the determined faces of the policemen on guard. The scene is reminiscent of the chaotic and turbulent times of early 20th-century Eastern Europe, a time of political upheaval and social unrest. This historical photograph is a poignant reminder of a significant event in the annals of British history, one that continues to intrigue and fascinate scholars and historians alike. The image is also a testament to the bravery and resilience of the police force in the face of danger and uncertainty.
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