Oldham officer is the first on the scene to detain man with a knife
PC Antony Spence was the first officer on the scene in Oldham's Hollins area to respond to an armed robbery involving a man wielding a knife. Despite the suspect's refusal to comply and threats of harm, PC Spence managed to disarm and arrest him without serious injury. The suspect, a 26-year-old man, was later sectioned under the Mental Health Act. PC Spence was commended for his bravery at a Chief Constable’s event, having previously been recognized for similar acts. Authorities emphasized the importance of community cooperation in combating knife crime.
Knife-wielding robber disarmed by lone PC in Hollins shop raid
A single police officer confronted and disarmed an armed robber who threatened him with a large kitchen knife during a cigarette raid at a Hollins shop on Tuesday morning, 29 October 2024.
PC Antony Spence arrived first at the scene after reports of an armed robbery, finding the suspect had already fled. The distinctive description provided by witnesses led him directly to the knifeman, who was waving the weapon and approaching the officer despite repeated demands to drop it.
The 26-year-old suspect continued his threatening behaviour through the residential area, banging on doors of innocent residents while refusing to surrender the blade. PC Spence pursued him on foot while calling for backup, eventually seizing his moment to use his baton to disarm and arrest the man before anyone could be harmed.
The suspect remains sectioned under the Mental Health Act after being arrested on suspicion of robbery, threats to kill and possession of a bladed article. PC Spence received a Chief Constable’s Commendation for his bravery, adding to his previous Oldham Award for Bravery earned in April 2023 when he and a colleague faced four machete-wielding burglars in Failsworth.
“PC Antony Spence embodies what we want our officers to be; brave and bold, upholding the values we agreed when we take on the job,” his Inspector said. “On that morning there was a real serious risk to life, not only his but members of the public, due to the unpredictable nature of the person holding the knife. In this one incident, we’ve managed to make Oldham a safer place and means we can conduct an effective investigation to ensure one less knife is off the street.”
Source: Read original article