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93-year-old former police officer returns to Rochdale station

Wednesday, 12 August 2026 16:48

By David Murphy

Retiree PC Allan Murray and PC Sophie Brown

A 93-year-old former police officer who began his career in Rochdale in 1959 has returned to his old station more than six decades later.

Retired PC Allan Murray visited the station where his great-granddaughter, PC Sophie Brown, now serves with Greater Manchester Police.

Allan joined policing aged 22 and served with Rochdale Borough.

During his return to the station, he brought photographs from his career and spoke to officers about policing during the late 1950s and 1960s.

The photographs included pictures from his training at Bruche Police Training Centre.

Allan recalled how officers conducted most patrols on foot, although he was sometimes deployed in what was known as the "Observation Vehicle".

His great-granddaughter Sophie is now a GMP officer based in Rochdale.

PC Brown said: "I’ve always had so much respect and love for my great grandad. I’ve been so grateful to follow in his footsteps and honour him in the career that I’m doing.

"It was amazing to be able to show him around the station and bring him back to his ‘good old days’. He loved every second of it, as did I.

"It’s such an amazing thing to share together."

Detective Superintendent Richard Hunt said: "It was a privilege to hear Allan's stories and see the photographs from his time in service.

"His visit was a poignant reminder of our rich policing heritage and the generations of officers who have served the communities of Rochdale."

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