4D Special Agents (Children’s Film Foundation)

This view along the River Thames opens the film following a £2 million jewel robbery in Hatton Garden. Looking past Oliver’s Wharf, on the right, towards buildings around Wapping Pier Head in E1 with Tower Bridge in the distance. Other views of Wapping Pier Head can be seen in 'Hue and Cry', 'The Squeeze' and 'Don’t Open till Christmas'.

John Harwood and his drone captured the features nicely. (SJ)

Danny (Paul J. Medford) runs into view alongside a dilapidated boat. Blackwall Basin on the Isle of Dogs E14 with the swing-bridge taking Preston’s Road over Blackwall Entrance Lock in the right distance. The bridge is also seen in 'The Walking Stick'.

Tricia (Sarah Jerkins) appears from the "smashing" headquarters of the '4D Special Agents' after non-member Danny signals that he's outside. Blackwall Basin of the West India & Millwall Docks with the open railway swing bridge at the entrance to West India Import Dock to the top right.

Leaving fellow agent Ollie in the boat, Danny leads Tricia and Jane Bowman (Lisa East) to see something suspicious in the docks. A great deal of filming took place within the West India Docks in London E14. Ray points out that this is the same location as Capture 8. (RL)

Steve Fraser (Dexter Fletcher) snoops around on a small boat moored at the back of the story's Jones's Wharf. In reality, this is actually along Rum Quay in the Import Docks, looking at the warehouse along the western quay says Ray. (RL)

Danny and his '4D Special Agent' pals grab hold of Steve who tells them that he's discovered a fantastic radio on the old run down boat. West India Docks in Poplar. Specifically Ray oints out, Rum Quay in the Import Docks, looking east toward the swing bridge to the Blackwall Basin. (RL)

Ollie (Philip Cook) makes his way to join the others before spotting two men as they leave a warehouse. South Dock, northern side Ray identifies. Corner of second warehouse looking east, pointing out the large sheds, in the background. (RL)

Listening to them talk, Ollie learns that Ray (Bryan Marshall) and Spider (James Coyle) are crooks waiting for their associate Eddie to arrive with parts for the boat. Ray completes his location identification for this film with a final tour of Isle of Dogs. Looking north past the stairs at the eastern end of the first warehouse across to the Import Dock. (RL)

The kids climb from the boat as Ray, Spider and Eddie approach. The former Rum Quay of West India Import Dock with warehouses on North Quay in the background.

With the criminals shouting after them, the four kids flee. The Rum Quay with West India Import Dock to the right.

The location has changed somewhat, becoming North Colonnade. (PW)

With their dog Scruff leading the way, the children run along the dockside. Looking eastward through travelling cranes alongside West India Import Dock in Poplar. A similar view appears in 'An Honourable Murder'.

Steve, Tricia, Danny and Jane outrun their pursuers as Ollie joins them. Ray Glenister together with George Pinto continues his stroll around the Isle of Dogs to identify the locations used in this film. This he identifies as Import Dock, looking west from the eastern side of the swing bridge entrance to the Export Dock. (RL)

Having overheard part of the villain's conversation, the friends decide to search a likely warehouse. They start there search, Ray finds, on the north side top level of the Westernmost warehouse in the Export Dock. (RL)

Spider and Ray watch as Eddie (Ken Shorter) finishes fitting the new parts to the boat's engine. West India Import Dock’s Rum Quay, now the site of North Colonnade.

Finding a hoard of stolen jewellery, Steve, Danny and the 'agents' escape from the building when the thieves return. One of the warehouses standing between the West India Export and Import Docks. Ray likes to be specific, the action is taking place on the easternmost warehouse looking west on the quay between the Import and Export Docks. (RL)

Carrying the box of jewels, Steve climbs down to the ground by rope. The former railway alignment gives this away as facing Canary Wharf between the West India Export and Import Docks in E14. Canada Square now occupies the location. As noted, the same location as the previous capture. (RL)

Heading for Jane's house, Tricia and Danny carry the box across lock gates. The western lock of the eastern entrance to West India South Dock with buildings on Manchester Road to the extreme right.

With thanks to the Canal & River Trust for arranging access. (PW)

Followed by the others, Jane reaches the far side of the lock. The northern side of the South Dock entrance with the bridge linking Preston’s Road and Manchester Road in the distance. The previous bridge crossing the dock entrance appears in 'The Bells Go Down' and 'Policeman's Holiday'.

Taken in the pouring rain, the 1969 built 'Blue Bridge' is prominent in the background. With acknowledgement to the Canal & River Trust. (PW)

The five mates turn a corner after spotting a black Volkswagen Beetle parked on waste ground. Facing north on Coldharbour with the steps leading to Coldharbour Police Station in the opening to the centre.

No longer the entrance to a police station. (PW)

The box becomes heavy on the journey. Looking along Billson Street towards Glengarnock Avenue in E14.

From a similar position. (PW)

Ollie helps Danny with the box as the crooks begin to look for the children and their loot. Stebondale Street with Glengarnock Avenue to the left.

Off angle due to the greenery to the left obscuring the view. (PW)

From their car, Ray and Spider scour the streets. The corner of Stebondale Street and Parsonage Street in E14.

An additional home has been added to the terrace on the left. (PW)

The two look along another empty road. The corner of Stebondale Street and Parsonage Street in Cubit Town with buildings on Glengarnock Avenue in the distance.

No kids down here today either. (PW)

Spider spots the children and Ray stops the car. Looking into Kingfield Street from Stebondale Street.

Again, an additional property has been constructed on the corner. (PW)

Reversing the Beetle, Ray turns into the road in time to see the pals running towards Jane's house. Facing the junction of Glengarnock Avenue and Stebondale Street with Millwall Park in the background.

The railway viaduct in the background carried the Docklands Light Railway in to the original Island Gardens terminus between 1987 and 1999 but now stands disused again. (PW)

Jane lets her friends through the front door to telephone her father, Sergeant Bowman. Ossulton Way in East Finchley N2.

Antony's view shows that, apart from the plants, little has changed in the intervening 38 years!

Ray and Spider get out of their car when they see Steve and Danny leave the house. The corner of Glengarnock Avenue and Stebondale Street in E14.

The same corner. (PW)

Eddie moves the boat as Ray and Spider approach the Bowman's home. Once again Rum Quay says Ray and George, looking east. (RL)

After Ray and Spider recover the box of jewels, Detective Sergeant Crane (Stewart Bevan) arrives at Steve Fraser's house to ask questions. 100 Mellish Street E14, facing east, a street also visited by 'The Sandwich Man', discovered by Steve Randall.

Hearing a knock at the front door, Steve and Danny escape through a window at the back of the house. The back of Glen Terrace on Manchester Road with the Queen of the Isle public house at the junction of Manchester Road and East Ferry Road in the right background and Alice Shepherd House in the left of centre distance. The pub was demolished in 2004.

Taken from a garden off Dollar Bay Place showing that many of the same buildings still stand, (PW)

As Ray and Spider discover that a valuable brooch is missing from the haul, the 'Special Agents' along with Danny and Steve leave the Police Station after helping to describe the crooks and the jewellery. Outside Stepney Green Police Station on East Arbour Street in E1.

Jane approaches home to find that the house has been ransacked. The corner of Stebondale Street and Parsonage Street in E14.

The same corner,with the additional property. (PW)

When Steve an the others near Jane's house they hear a scream from inside. Opposite Ludlow Way on Ossulton Way in N2.

Antony Blair was on the scene in no time.

Taking her from the house, Ray and Spider drive away with the young girl. Ray and George see this as Millharbour looking north to Marsh Wall. Demolition has started on the seven arched roof warehouse. (RL)

Spider ridicules her '4D Special Agent' identity card as Ray steers around a corner. What is now Mastmaker Road, looking NW Ray and George advise. (RL)

Upset at what has happened to Jane, Stephen walks home followed by Scruff. Ray finds the pair as he looks eastward along Judkin Street and Castalia Street (now gone) with Pinnace House on Preston Road in the background. (RL)

The villains tell Jane to cooperate as they continue on their way. If Ray continues to loiter in the docks much longer he is likely to be arrested, but until he is we benefit from a identification(s): Marsh Wall looking east. The partially disassembled arched roof of the warehouse, is seen in Capture 34. (RL)

Distracted by Jane after she opens the car's door, Ray attempts to steer clear of roadworks ahead. Marsh Wall with Chipka Street and Llandovery House in the background.

Beyond the wall and trees stand the same background buildings. (PW)

The car careers into the obstruction. Facing west on Marsh Wall.

No roadworks but a changed view. (PW)

Smashing through the barriers, the Volkswagen turns on its side. Marsh Wall with the top floor of the since demolished Cubitt House visible to the top right.

The background view is obstructed by a newer building. (PW)

Jane climbs out of the wreckage and helps to rescue her captors. Looking east on Marsh Wall with Alice Shepherd House in the right distance.

Not quite the right angle as I didn't want speeding traffic coming up behind me! (PW)

Steve arrives at the site of the crash shortly after the Fire Service. Marsh Wall with the Queen of the Isle public house in the extreme right distance.

Yes, it is looking the same way. (PW)

Recognising the registration plate from earlier, Steve asks a Fireman about survivors. Buildings on Chipka Street stand in the background.

Another restricted view. (PW)

Running from the scene with Scruff, Steve sets out to find Jane. And here, Ray is right behind Steve looking SW towards the warehouses that front Capture 59 Millwall Dock. The gassy patch of elevated land laid somewhere along the tree line in the Skylines Village. (RL)

As the thieves question Jane, Steve struggles to keep up with Scruff. And here, Ray and George tell us, we are on West Quay looking south. (RL)

While the crooks' Boss is radioing his men to tell them to depart with the haul, Scruff discovers a scent. Ray and George continue following their own scent and see this as looking NE over the Import Dock with Harford Street Gas Works visible far left. (RL)

Not far away, Steve's grandfather Mr. Fraser (Paul Luty) returns from fishing. Blackwall Basin on the Isle of Dogs in E14.

Ollie helps Mr. Fraser tie up his boat. Blackwall Basin with the entrance to Junction Dock in the top left background.

Jane jumps into the water to escape from Ray and Spider. Little escapes Ray and George's attention, the SE corner of the Import Dock, near the Blackwall Basin swing bridge. (RL)

The youngster attempts to swim away before being rescued by her kidnappers. Import Dock, near the Blackwall Basin swing bridge located by Ray Glenister and George Pinto. (RL)

After Jane is pulled to safety, Steve appears on the quayside. Steve appears Facing the abutment of the former foot drawbridge that crossed the waterway between Blackwall Basin and Poplar North Dock.

Although the the abutment has since been largely removed, the bridge rollers are still in place in this view from Hornley Walk. (PW)

With Steve and Jane both held prisoner, Scruff makes his way to the Police Station where Detective Inspector Porter, Sergeant Bowman, Tricia and Danny are trying to trace the crooks. The old Stepney Green Police Station at the corner of East Arbour Street and Aylward Street.

Mr. Fraser and Ollie set out to find Steve and Jane. Blackwall Basin on the Isle of Dogs with Preston's Road Swing Bridge in the centre distance.

Following a transmission from the crooks boat, Detective Inspector Porter (Neil Hallett), Sergeant Bowman, Tricia and Danny board a helicopter, here taking off from Deptford. One of the four tower blocks in Millwall is seen in the background. The helicopter and its four occupants came to a tragic end on the 26th June 1983 whilst engaged in a survey of the seal population in the Wash. (RL)

As the helicopter takes off, Mr. Fraser steers his small craft onto the Thames. Blackwall Reach with Blackwall Power Station, also known as Brunswick Wharf Power Station, in the right distance.

The helicopter flies over Greenwich in London SE10. Down on the ground can be seen the old Royal Naval College.

River Police are alerted. Facing London E1 with Old Aberdeen Wharf and Wapping Police Station to the left and the since redeveloped St. John’s Wharf on the right.

With all the re-development now completed. (RL)

A River Police boat sweeps around to head down river. The River Thames with Old Aberdeen Wharf on the right and buildings at the corner of Wapping High Street and Reardon Path to the left.

I should have included more to the left so I am happy for this to be replaced. (RL)

Mr. Fraser and Ollie approach the thieves' boat. Here Ray sees the boat approaching the South Dock entrance to West India Docks. (RL)

Steve's grandfather circles the villains' vessel. The background oil storage tanks occupy part of Blackwall Yard which has since been given over to high rise housing.

The helicopter, River Police and Mr. Fraser close in on the crooks. Sadly, helicopter G-AWAP crashed in The Wash on 26 June 1983 killing all on board.

Mr. Fraser picks up Steve and Jane from the water after they jump from the boat before the River Police catch up. Blackwall Power Station closed in 1984 and demolition was completed in 1989.