A gun battle in the East End of London left two dead and sparked a political row over the involvement of then-Home Secretary Winston Churchill.

The Siege of Sidney Street, a pivotal event in early 20th-century British history, unfolded on 3 January 1911 in the densely populated East End of London. This intense gunfight, also widely referred to as the Battle of Stepney due to its unprecedented scale and military involvement, pitted a combined force of police and soldiers against two armed Latvian revolutionaries. It represented the dramatic culmination of a series of violent incidents that had gripped the capital just weeks prior.

The Houndsditch Murders: A Precursor to the Siege

The events leading up to the Sidney Street siege commenced in December 1910 with an attempted jewellery robbery in the City of London, specifically at a property in Houndsditch. This heist was orchestrated by a gang of Latvian immigrants, believed to be anarchists or political exiles. The attempt quickly escalated into extreme violence when police officers, alerted by neighbours, confronted the perpetrators.

The Investigation and Discovery at Sidney Street

In the aftermath of the Houndsditch murders, a joint investigation was launched by the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police forces. This collaborative effort, crucial for tracking down the elusive gang members, swiftly led to the identification and arrest of most of Gardstein's accomplices within two weeks. However, two members remained at large.

Intelligence received by the police indicated that the final two uncaptured members of the gang, later identified as Fritz Svaars and William Klieman (also known as Joseph Levi), were hiding at a terraced house at 100 Sidney Street in Stepney. Recognising the extreme danger posed by these armed individuals, authorities initiated a rapid response. Local residents were promptly evacuated from the surrounding area to ensure their safety before any confrontation began.

The Battle Commences: Police and Army Confrontation

On the morning of 3 January 1911, a fierce firefight erupted between the police, who had surrounded the building, and the two revolutionaries inside. The initial police contingent, armed primarily with standard revolvers, found themselves significantly outmatched by the heavily armed fugitives. Faced with such determined resistance and superior firepower, the Metropolitan Police took the unprecedented step of requesting military assistance.

A detachment of soldiers from the Scots Guards, dispatched from the nearby Tower of London, swiftly arrived at the scene. This marked a historical first: the police in London had never before requested military intervention to manage an armed domestic stand-off. The arrival of the troops, equipped with more powerful rifles and greater tactical training, transformed the engagement into a veritable urban battle.

The siege lasted for approximately six hours, characterised by continuous exchanges of gunfire and a tense deadlock. Towards the latter stages of the stand-off, a fire broke out within the building at 100 Sidney Street. Despite extensive investigations, no definitive cause for the blaze was ever identified, leading to various theories ranging from accidental ignition by a bullet to deliberate action by the occupants.

One of the agitators inside the house, Fritz Svaars, was shot before the flames fully engulfed the structure. As the London Fire Brigade moved in to damp down the smouldering ruins, they discovered the bodies of both revolutionaries within the debris. Tragically, during this critical phase, the compromised building unexpectedly collapsed, claiming the life of Chief Superintendent Charles Pearson, a brave fireman. His death served as a stark reminder of the extreme dangers faced by emergency services during such intense confrontations.

Historical Significance and Legacy

The Siege of Sidney Street holds several significant places in British history:

Aftermath and Commemoration

The legal proceedings following the Houndsditch robbery and Sidney Street siege were complex. At the subsequent trial in May 1911, which focused on those arrested in connection with the Houndsditch jewellery robbery, nearly all the accused were acquitted. The single conviction that was secured, pertaining to a woman named Maria Vassilieva for conspiracy, was later overturned on appeal, highlighting the challenges of securing convictions given the circumstances and potential lack of direct evidence.

The dramatic narrative of the siege has resonated through popular culture, inspiring various fictional adaptations. These include:

On the centenary of the events in 2011, two tower blocks located on Sidney Street were symbolically named after "Peter the Painter." This individual, Jules Vassileva, was a minor member of the gang, though it is widely believed he was not present at either the Houndsditch robbery or the Sidney Street siege itself. His notoriety stems from his mysterious disappearance after the events, elevating him to an almost mythical figure in the narrative.

The legacy of the Siege of Sidney Street endures as a powerful reminder of urban violence and law enforcement challenges in early 20th-century London. The brave policemen who lost their lives in Houndsditch, along with the courageous fireman Chief Superintendent Charles Pearson who died during the Sidney Street clean-up, are commemorated with memorial plaques, ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Siege of Sidney Street

What was the primary cause of the Siege of Sidney Street?
The siege was the culmination of a police manhunt for the remaining members of a Latvian gang responsible for the murder of three police officers during an attempted jewellery robbery in Houndsditch in December 1910.
Who were the two Latvian revolutionaries involved in the siege?
The two revolutionaries trapped in 100 Sidney Street were identified as Fritz Svaars and William Klieman (also known as Joseph Levi).
Why was the army called in during the siege?
The police, armed with standard revolvers, were outmatched by the heavily armed revolutionaries. The army, specifically the Scots Guards, was called in to provide superior firepower and tactical support, marking a historical first for such an intervention in London.
What role did Winston Churchill play during the siege?
Winston Churchill, then the Home Secretary, was present at the scene of the siege. His direct presence caused a political controversy regarding the appropriate level of ministerial involvement in active police operations, though he stated he was there for informational purposes.
What happened to the building at 100 Sidney Street?
The building caught fire towards the end of the siege, though the cause remains unconfirmed. After the fire was put out by the London Fire Brigade, the compromised structure collapsed, tragically killing a fireman, Chief Superintendent Charles Pearson.