Policeman’s Holiday

Inside the station house where he's based, the New York City Police Department's Lieutenant Roberts is telling Colleagues about his recent vacation in London. 153 East 67th Street in New York, New York with the NYPD 19th Precinct station house to the right.

Whilst in London, the Lieutenant calls in at Scotland Yard and is shown how British policemen operate, starting with a visit to the Metropolitan Police Training School. The Metropolitan Police Training School on Aerodrome Road in Hendon NW9.

Inspector Finch and Lieutenant Roberts arrive at the training school where they are first shown around the science laboratories. The Metropolitan Police Training School at Hendon.

"British Policemen have to learn jiu-jitsu, just as we do, so we watched the boys toss each other around." Using the buildings of Hendon Country Club, the Metropolitan Police Training School opened in 1934.

"The Yard also has a school for detectives, where students come from all over the Empire to learn the technical side of criminology. We watch a course in personal descriptions, the study of how to describe people accurately." The Metropolitan Police Training School on Aerodrome Road NW9.

"After Hendon we returned to the yard." . . . were a report is received of a warehouse robbery and a man being shot. The entrance to New Scotland Yard inside the gates off Victoria Embankment SW1.

Before setting off to investigate, Inspector Finch and Lieutenant Roberts are given details about the whiskey hijack in Limehouse. The yard belongs to C & E Morton Ltd. at Sufferance Wharf on Westferry Road E14, almost opposite the City Arms public house.

Two Men enter Moreton's yard and climb into the cab of a lorry, dragging the sleeping Driver out of his seat. Facing the entrance to Moreton's preserves and canned foods factory at Sufferance Wharf, Westferry Road.

As one Robber starts the truck and drives away, the Other aims his gun at Workers who have come out of the building. Looking from Moreton's yard towards number 17 Westferry Road on the Isle of Dogs.

A Cyclist riding along the road near the warehouse dismounts when he sees the armed Man approaching. Facing north on Westferry Road E14 with the bridge, sometimes known as City Arms Bridge, over the former Limehouse entrance to South Dock on the right.

During a struggle, the Cyclist is shot. Outside the since demolished City Arms on Westferry Road with the West India Docks pumping station behind the fences to the top right.

From across the road a Gentleman witnesses the shooting and hurries to help the Cyclist. The pavement outside numbers 15 to 17 Westferry Road.

After an ambulance takes the wounded Cyclist to hospital, local Policemen continue their work at the scene before Inspector Finch and Lieutenant Roberts arrive to question Witnesses. Looking onto Westferry Road from Moreton's with wasteland adjacent to number 17 across the road.

Inspector Finch and Lieutenant Roberts make their way to the hospital where they discover that the Cyclist has died from his injuries. Facing the junction of Berners Street and Mortimer Street in W1 with the Middlesex Hospital as the background.

A rather obvious change here! PW

The robbery becomes a case of murder and the Criminal responsible is hiding among nine million people. Oxford Circus W1 with Oxford Street leading off to the left, Argyle Street top left and the corner of Regent Street on the right.

From "Circus" level. PW

A slow pan across a map of the City is interspersed with views of busy streets. Seeing this as a 'cliché shot' implying busy, Dave W related this to London Bridge station at rush hour and found London Bridge Tavern at 5 Borough High Street, SE1. (RL)

"The Men they're after are somewhere . . . but where?" Church Street, Marylebone, NW8 circa Nos 75-81 (RL)

If someone who lives in the flats where the original shot was taken is able/willing to take a better shot then Denis Hoare is happy for his shot to be substituted.

At his home one evening, Inspector Finch discusses the case with the Lieutenant.

"This man Finch won't give up." The corner of Oxford Street and Newman Street in W1.

The same junction 77 years on. PW

As the investigation continues, Detectives talk to People all over London. The shops are 1 - 4 Railway Place, London EC3 now known as St. Katherine's Row. (RL)

St Katherine's Row runs as a largely built over alleyway from Fenchurch Street behind this façade taken on Fenchurch Place. SJ

A Cabbie with information is brought to Scotland Yard. Outside New Scotland Yard between Derby Gate and Victoria Embankment SW1.

The Taxi Driver explains to Inspector Finch that whilst carrying a fare, a Man in a hurry jumped onto the running board of his cab. In the Minories, EC3 with 85-88 on the right and 96 to 99 to the right of the ruin. As pointed out by Dave W this location is also seen in 'On the Fiddle'. (RL)

This is looking north, aken from a traffic island in the middle of Tower Hill. SJ

Noticing the Passenger in the back, the Man jumped from the cab and ran back across the road to enter an office building. 92 and 93 Minories to the left before the entrance to The Circus and 85 to 88 Minories to the right of capture. (RL)

Panning left reveals that buildings have yielded to part of Tower Hill Gardens and realignment of the road (Tower Hill) coming in from the west. SJ

After Inspector Finch and Lieutenant Roberts visit the offices where a scarf and raincoat are found, Detectives are sent out to check on dry cleaning establishments. Poplar police station at 195 East India Dock Road E14.

Finally, a Detective discovers the name associated with the laundry mark on the scarf.

The Detective telephones his report to Scotland Yard. In the background is the bridge carrying Manchester Road over the south entrance to the South Dock of the West India Dock in E14. The bridge was replaced in the late 1960s and can be seen in 'The Bells Go Down' while the current incarnation appears in 'Last Christmas' as well as '4D Special Agents'.

Discovering that the name is on police records, a Plain-clothes Detective is sent to William Mead's address. Facing north-west on Black Prince Road SE1 with the corner of Lambeth Walk to the left.

Turning a corner, the Plain-clothes Man approaches the ex-borstal boy's home and knocks at the door. The corner of Black Prince Road and Ward Street.

When Mrs. Mead explains that she hasn't seen her Husband for weeks the Plain-clothes Detective walks away . . . signalling to an undercover Officer. Black Prince Road with the entrance to Lambeth Mews on the left.

Mrs. Mead leaves the house. If continuity is correct, this is the back of number 17 Ward Street.

Closing the gate to her yard, Mrs. Mead heads towards the main road. Lambeth Mews SE1, as indicated by the street sign just visible to the top right.

Followed by another Detective, Mrs. Mead walks past shops as she makes her way towards Rocco's Club in Soho.

The Detective keeps a suitable distance between himself and Mrs. Mead. 124-122 Lambeth Walk, SE1 (RL)

Mrs. Mead enters the doubtful nightspot, one of several being routinely watched by the Yard, followed by the Detective. 10 Greek Street as seen in Capture 36. The scaffolding was no doubt in place whilst the adjoining was being decorated.(RL)

Inspector Finch and Lieutenant Roberts hurry to Rocco's Club when Mead is seen to enter behind his Wife.

Following a scuffle with the Detective, William Mead runs from the club moments before Inspector Finch and Lieutenant Roberts arrive. Looking southward on Greek Street W1 with numbers 9 and 10 to the left and the timbered Three Greyhounds public house at the corner of Old Compton Street in the top right distance.

Long-standing redevelopment is apparent. PW

A car chase through London begins. From here, Russell Square WC1 looking south-east towards Montague Street, Dave W follows the sequence. (RL)

The trees have clearly grown, the pavements widened, road layout changed, zebra crossing inserted........... (RL)

The pursuit continues through dark streets. Russell Square WC1 with number 29 taking (almost) centre stage. The telephone box was still present when Dave W last checked. (RL)

Further checking confirms the telephone box remains to this day. The Cabmen's Shelter, however, was dedicated in 1901 and originally located in Leicester Square, later being moved to Russell Square and renovated in 1987. (RL)

Hoping to shake off the Police, Mead takes a corner as he heads for the centre of town. And then, Dave W sees, on the right, the porticoed entrance of 24 Russell Square with its entrance in Thornhaugh Street. On the left is The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and beyond it Woburn Square. Which, of course, makes Russell Square Gardens WC1 behind the camera. (RL)

A considerably busier scene these days.The new building on left now conceals more of The School of Oriental and African Studies. (RL)

The Police Driver flashes his headlights to warn any Policemen on point duty that there's a chase on. 41 - 45 Shaftesbury Ave., with thanks to Dave W for correcting my sense of direction looking north towards the junction with Wardour Street, W1 (RL)

A much busier road these days and no safe traffic island on which to stand. (RL)

Looking along Haymarket to the junction of Piccadilly and Coventry Street in the distance with the Carlton Cinema to the left. The cinema was renamed a number of times until becoming the Empire Haymarket which closed in 2023.

With so much scaffolding in place it is difficult to be exact as to alignment. (RL)

Slowed by traffic, Inspector Finch and Lieutenant Roberts's car has difficulty catching up. Approaching Piccadilly Circus from Lower Regent Street in W1.

With the enlarged pavement area it wasn't necessary to risk life and limb in the road. (RL)

Mead reaches Piccadilly Circus where he stops and gets out of the car. Piccadilly Circus W1.

An historic moment itself. [8th May] (RL)

The wanted Man descends into the underground "Subway to you Guys". Piccadilly Circus station beneath Piccadilly Circus.

Quickly buying a ticket, Mead pushes through Passengers on the escalator.

Inspector Finch and Lieutenant Roberts reach the moving stairs as a train enters the platform. This appears to be the westbound platform of the Piccadilly Line at Piccadilly Circus station.

While Mead makes his way through the maze of tunnels, down on the platform the train comes to a stand and the doors open.

A Porter prevents Mead from getting onto the departing train as the doors close.