Oldham officer is the first on the scene to detain man with a knife

It was back on the morning of Tuesday 29 October 2024, when response officer Antony Spence was the first on the scene in the Hollins area of Oldham to reports of an armed robbery taking place where a man was holding a knife.

As you’ll have seen on this week’s episode of Manhunt on Channel 4, the impacts of knife crime can be absolutely devastating and, in some cases, result in the loss of life.

After entering the shop demanding cigarettes, the officer conducted an area search due to the suspect making off during the report being made.

It only took a few moments to recognise the distinctive description given and as officers normally must do in the line of duty, had to approach the person, and go towards danger with him waving around a large kitchen knife.

Trying to instruct him to comply by dropping the weapon he blatantly refusing and instead started to approach PC Antony Spence, intimating he was going to do him harm.

Whilst calling for back-up from colleagues to help with the escalating situation, PC Spence's taser was drawn and although ineffective the first-time round, the offender was becoming a greater threat to the community due to his reckless and unpredictable actions, which included knocking on doors of innocent members of the community.

That is when a short foot chase occurred to ensure our officer didn’t lose sight whilst still having to deal with the threat of being potentially harmed himself or a passer-by.

Seizing on the moment of opportunity, he managed to use his baton to disarm the man and ensured he could make a prompt arrest before any serious injury occurred.

The 26-year-old man is currently still sectioned in hospital under the Mental Health Act after being arrested on suspicion of robbery, threats to kill and possession of a bladed article.

As a result of his actions to serve and protect, PC Antony Spence was recently awarded for his brave efforts at a Chief Constable’s Commendation event.

This is not the first time our officer has gone above and beyond when on duty though, as back in April 2023 he was one of two officers who won the Oldham Award for Bravery following an incident involving four males with machetes in Failsworth following a burglary.

On the incident and subsequent recognition, his Inspector said; “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.

“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.

“Across Greater Manchester our officer’s day-in and day-out serve to protect the public in the best way they can and that often means putting themselves in harm’s way as the first line of defence.”

We all need to work together to combat knife crime and anyone with information about knife crime in their local community can report it to us at the earliest opportunity, so we can investigate it, act on it and help keep you safe.

You can report knife crime by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also make a report via: www.gmp.police.uk

To report anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the website: www.Fearless.org for 11-16-year-olds.