Dictionary of Sydney

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

Bridge Street Affray

Incident on Bridge Street in the early hours of Friday 2 February 1894 in which three men, who had tried to rob the Union Steamship Company's offices, attacked and injured several police officers in the pursuit. Five police officers were seriously injured and two of the robbers were subsequently hanged. As a result of the incident, police in New South Wales were authorised to carry firearms in the line of duty.

Milestone
Date of event
02 Feb 1894
Position
Type

The Bridge Street Affray

CC BY-SA 2.0
,
2018

On 2 February 1894 three men attempted to rob the offices of the Union Steamship Company on Bridge Street in the city. Several police constables were brutally attacked and injured when they confronted the thieves. Officers of the New South Wales Police have carried firearms ever since.