25 years since PC Alison Armitage killed in Oldham

Twenty-five years ago today, Oldham lost one of its own when PC Alison Armitage was killed in the line of duty at just 29 years old. The young officer was observing a stolen Vauxhall Vectra on Robert Street when the driver returned and deliberately ran her over twice before fleeing the scene. She died from her injuries at Royal Oldham Hospital, becoming the first female officer in Greater Manchester Police to be killed while serving.

Today, the Police Memorial Trust laid a wreath at the memorial unveiled on Robert Street in July 2002, near where PC Armitage sustained her fatal injuries. The trust's Facebook post about the anniversary has drawn more than 150 comments from people paying tribute to her sacrifice and thanking her for her service. The memorial stands as a permanent reminder of the dangers faced by officers who put themselves in harm's way to protect our community.

PC Armitage's death shocked Oldham and the wider policing community. She was on plain clothes duty that March evening in 2001, waiting with a colleague for suspected thieves to return to the stolen vehicle. When they decided the car had been dumped and called for recovery, a young man suddenly appeared and attempted to drive away.