Trevor Lock, Hero of Iranian Embassy Siege, Dies Aged 85

The 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege

On April 30, 1980, PC Trevor Lock, then a member of the Diplomatic Protection Group (DPG) on probationary duty, was guarding the Iranian Embassy in Prince's Gate, London. Six armed men, members of a dissident Iranian group opposed to Ayatollah Khomeini, stormed the building, taking 26 people hostage, including Lock, embassy staff, BBC personnel, and tourists.

PC Lock's Role During Captivity

For six days, Lock found himself in the centre of a tense international incident. He managed to keep his .38 Smith & Wesson revolver hidden from his captors. He acted as a vital communication link, relaying messages between the gunmen and police negotiators outside. Reports highlight his calm demeanour, which helped soothe both fellow hostages and the volatile gunmen. In one notable incident, he cleverly dismissed the gunmen's suspicions about noises (caused by listening devices being planted) as merely 'mice' in the old building.

The SAS Raid

Negotiations stalled, and the situation escalated dramatically on the sixth day when the terrorists murdered the embassy's press attaché, Abbas Lavasani, and threw his body outside. The British government authorised an SAS rescue mission, codenamed Operation Nimrod.

As masked SAS troopers stormed the building, abseiling from the roof and entering through windows, PC Lock took decisive action. He grappled with the leader of the gunmen, known as Salim, preventing him from potentially shooting an SAS soldier entering the room. The soldier then shot the terrorist leader dead.

The raid, lasting just over 15 minutes and broadcast live on television, resulted in the rescue of 19 hostages. One hostage had been killed by the gunmen prior to the raid, another was killed during the rescue, and two were wounded. Five of the six terrorists were killed; the sole survivor was later jailed.

A Reluctant Hero

Trevor Lock was instantly hailed as a hero, praised by the then-Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir David McNee as the embodiment of courage. He received the George Medal at Buckingham Palace. However, Lock remained unassuming, stating his actions were just part of his duty. Described as shy and unprepared for the intense media focus, he famously needed an advance from the Commissioner to buy his first suit for a ceremony making him a freeman of the City of London. He later served with the police helicopter unit and the M11 motorway control unit before retiring in 1992.

Who was Trevor Lock?

Trevor Lock was a Metropolitan Police constable who was taken hostage during the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege in London and later awarded the George Medal for his bravery during the ordeal.

What was the Iranian Embassy siege?

It was a six-day hostage crisis in April-May 1980 where six gunmen seized the Iranian Embassy in London, holding 26 hostages. It ended with an SAS raid.

What did Trevor Lock do during the siege?

He acted as a negotiator, kept hostages calm, hid his weapon, and tackled the terrorist leader during the final SAS assault, saving a soldier's life.

What happened to the terrorists?

Five were killed during the SAS raid, and the sixth was captured and jailed for 28 years.

Trevor Lock's actions during the siege were seen by millions live on television. Do you remember the event? Share your thoughts on his legacy below.

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