Despite the fact that outrageous acts of terrorism all too frequently make headlines on television and in our daily newspapers, the phenomenon is not confined to the present day political ideology. The Iranian Embassy siege, which came to such a successful conclusion on 5th May 1980, represents probably the most famous siege of our lifetime, if not the only one that many people will be able to recall in any detail.
          Unless they are of a great age, or have a good grasp of British history, it is unlikely that they will be able to relate many facts regarding another outrage, commonly known as the Sidney Street Siege. This too, in its day, was the talk of the country and like its modern counterpart it also ended in fire and the death of the perpetrators. Another similarity is that both events took place in London, although a gap of more that eighty years separates them.
          It began shortly before midnight on Friday, 16th December 1910, when the police were informed of  unusual activity taking place at premises adjoining a jeweller's shop in the East End  of London. However, while they were in the process of investigating the cause of the disturbance the criminals were alerted and opened fire on the unarmed police contingent. Fleeing into the night in a desperate bid to escape justice, they left behind five wounded officers, three of whom later died of their wounds.
          Fortunately not all of the assassins bullets hit their intended targets. In the wild gunfire that took place as they fled the scene, one of the gunmen was accidentally shot in the back by a fellow conspirator. However, despite being slowed down by their injured comrade all the men were able to make good their escape and reach a safe house. Here luck continued to be on their side for the doctor they summoned was unaware of the incident and set about treating the injured gunman. Later he left the house to fetch medical supplies, only to find that his patient had died from his wounds and his associates departed.
          At this point the police were informed and made a search of the property. That the  dead man had no intention of being taken without a fight soon became apparent when a loaded pistol was discovered beneath his pillow. A dagger and ammunition found close at hand only served to strengthen this belief. A rapid entrance into an adjoining room by some of the search party surprised a young girl in the act of burning photographs and papers. From the remains of these documents and extensive questioning of her, the police were able to learn the identities of the hunted men and  to realise that far from being common felons they were, in fact, dedicated anarchists.
          Over the next few weeks an intensive manhunt ensued, but the desperate fugitives always managed to stay one step ahead of the law. They constantly changed their hideouts and never stayed in one place long enough for the police to track them down. Their luck eventually deserted them when they were traced to a lodging house run by a Russian woman at 100, Sidney Street, off the Mile End Road, in East London.
          The premises consisted of six rooms spread over three floors of a mid-terraced house and plans for an arrest were devised and quickly put into operation. The first action was to seal off each end of the street. Then, while a number of armed police positioned themselves in front and at the rear of the house, other officers used the cover of darkness to move in and assist innocent lodgers who occupied the lower floors, to escape the beleaguered house.
          Everything was now in place to enable a successful arrest to take place. At around 0730 hours on 3rd January, 1911, a number of police officers knocked on the door of 100 Sidney Street. It was their intention to establish contact with the criminals and make then aware of the hopelessness of their position. When their knocks drew no response, stones were thrown at the windows to attract the attention of those inside. This action was answered by a volley of shots from within. It seemed that the desperate occupants were not prepared to surrender or give up without a fight.
          The police beat an undignified retreat which was not entirely free from injury. One officer was wounded while another was lucky to escape with his life when a bullet passed through his helmet, narrowly missing his skull. An increase in police numbers was ordered and additional fire arms issued. As the morning wore on and the likelihood of a protracted siege became obvious, an appeal for reinforcements was made to the military.