Witness History
Witness History
The IRA siege at Balcombe Street
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December 10, 2019
9 minutes
Available for over a year
In December 1975, four members of one of the IRA’s deadliest units were chased by police through the streets of London before hiding out in a small flat owned by a middle-aged couple called John and Sheila Matthews. The resulting six-day siege was covered live on television and radio, and gripped Britain. It ended when Metropolitan Police negotiators persuaded the gunmen to leave the flat peacefully. Simon Watts talks to Steven Moysey, the author of the book and audiobook, The Road to Balcombe Street.
(Photo: Police surrounding the flat in Balcombe Street. Credit: Press Association)