Oldham police officer was first on the scene to detain man with a knife
Police officer Anthony Spence was the first responder to an armed robbery in Oldham, where he successfully disarmed and arrested a man wielding a knife, preventing potential harm to the public. His bravery was recognized at a Chief Constable’s Commendation event.
Knife-wielding robber disarmed by lone officer in Hollins shop raid
A Greater Manchester Police officer single-handedly disarmed a knife-wielding robber who threatened to kill him during a terrifying incident in Oldham’s Hollins area on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
PC Anthony Spence was first on scene after reports of an armed robbery at a local shop where a man brandishing a large kitchen knife had entered demanding cigarettes. The suspect fled before Spence arrived, prompting an urgent area search.
The officer quickly spotted someone matching the distinctive description and approached, only to find himself facing the armed man who began waving the weapon aggressively. Despite repeated instructions to drop the knife, the suspect advanced on PC Spence while making threats to harm him.
As the situation escalated, with the man even knocking on doors of nearby homes and posing a danger to the community, PC Spence drew his taser and called for backup. When the taser proved ineffective, a brief foot chase ensued before the officer seized his moment, using his baton to disarm and arrest the suspect before anyone could be injured.
The 26-year-old man remains sectioned in hospital under the Mental Health Act on suspicion of robbery, threats to kill and possession of a bladed article.
PC Spence’s bravery earned him recognition at a recent Chief Constable’s Commendation event. It’s not his first award - in April 2023 he received the Oldham Award for Bravery alongside a colleague after confronting four males armed with machetes following a burglary in Failsworth.
“PC Anthony 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.”
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