The Balcombe Street and Iranian Embassy Sieges

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper will examine two hostage negotiation episodes and compare how each situation was handled in relation to the eventual outcome. Both examples are of approximately the same duration, handled by the same police force and featured terrorist organizations as the hostage taking parties. Despite all their similarities, the two events had radically different outcomes. In December 1975, four members of an Irish Republican Army [IRA] active service cell were involved in a running gunfight with members of the Metropolitan Police force in central London. As the terrorists made their escape they found themselves in Balcombe Street, still firing at officers pursuing them. Seeking a place to resist the growing police presence, the four men entered an apartment complex and forced their way into number 22b, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Mathews. It was the start of a six-day siege that would end with the capitulation of the IRA men without bloodshed. On April 30th, 1980, six armed revolutionaries of the Demo...