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Anger at naming of tower blocks after gang of police killers
Elizabeth Hopkirk, Evening Standard26.09.08
A housing association in Tower Hamlets has sparked anger after naming two tower blocks after the leader of a gang of police killers.
Peter House and Painter House are dedicated to Peter Piaktow, known as Peter the Painter, the head of a gang of Latvian anarchists who in December 1910 shot dead three policemen investigating a jewellery shop raid.
Sarah Drury, vice-chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: "It's disappointing that the local housing association has chosen to honour the anarchists in this manner."
The killings resulted in the Siege of Sidney Street a fortnight later when Winston Churchill, then Home Secretary, went to watch and a bullet passed through his top hat.
Tower Hamlets Community Housing chief executive Mike Tyrrell said: "There is no evidence that Peter the Painter killed the three policemen."
Reader views (6)
Roy, your remark about 'history' is just as disingenuous as Tower Hamlet's Mike Tyrrell. You don't remember the history of anarchists with statues, any more than you name housing estates/blocks after them unless you are lauding their actions. Cromwell ruled the nation, well or badly according to opinions. Anarchists want to tear it apart. There is a difference.
- Rogan, DFW TX
And Oliver Cromwell had the King beheaded, but he has a statue outside Parliament. It's called "history" people.
- Roy, England
Ah political correctness even back to 1910. When does this stop?
- John (Brit Exp Pat), Phoenix USA
Why is the Metropolitan Police Federation making a comment? The three police officers were City of London police officers, murdered at Houndsditch in the City, they had nothing to do with the Met. The only connectio with the Met is that the three anarchists fled to Sydney Street in Whitechapel.
- Exmetseniorofficer, London
Tower Hamlets anti-society vermin, all living on handouts. I suggest any 999 calls from there remain unanswered.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Yet another example of bleeding heart do-gooders in Tower Hamlets. There may be no evidence but there is evidence that these were gunmen. What example is that sending out to the gun and knife gangs in the area! Kill somone and get rewarded with a block of flats named after you. What's next, Jack the Ripper Mansions,Fred West Row, Peter Sutcliffe Avenue. Myra Hindly Heights. The list is endless!
- Triffidqueen, Desk in London
