London's longest sieges

IRA terrorists held out for six days in Balcombe Street

The Hackney siege is the first lengthy operation in London for more than 20 years.

The last major siege in London was in 1980, when armed men took control of the Iranian Embassy in Knightsbridge.

They demanded 91 political prisoners in Iran be released and held out for six days, killing two hostages.

The SAS ended it by storming the building and rescuing 19 surviving hostages.

The SAS stormed the Iranian Embassy in 1980

In 1975, the Metropolitan Police faced two six-day sieges.

IRA terrorists took an elderly couple hostage and holed up in their flat in Balcombe Street, Marylebone after opening fire on a Mayfair restaurant.

They finally came out with their hands up and four men were later convicted of six murders, causing explosions and possession of firearms.

They were released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

The same year, three armed robbers took six Italians hostage in the Knightsbridge Spaghetti House.

Police played a waiting game, using trained negotiators and psychologists until the siege ended six days later.