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PC killed by stolen vehicle named as David Phillips David Phillips: PC killed by stolen vehicle 'didn't stand a chance'
(35 minutes later)
A police officer who was struck and killed by a stolen car during a pursuit in Merseyside has been named. A police officer struck and killed by a stolen car during a pursuit in Merseyside "didn't stand a chance", the force's chief constable has said.
PC David Phillips, 34, was hit by a red Mitsubishi pick-up vehicle which mounted a central reservation along the A5139 Dock Road, Wallasey, at 02:10 BST. PC David Phillips, 34, was hit by a pick-up vehicle which mounted a central reservation in Wallasey at 02:10 BST.
The married father-of-two had been trying to stop the vehicle, which was taken from an estate agents in Birkenhead.The married father-of-two had been trying to stop the vehicle, which was taken from an estate agents in Birkenhead.
A murder investigation is under way.A murder investigation is under way.
A statement from Merseyside Police said officers had earlier attended a burglary at the estate agents on Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead.
The road where the officer was killed is sealed off and there's a heavy police presence.
A green tarpaulin had been placed at the spot where the officer was struck.
Follow latest updates on this story with BBC Merseyside LiveFollow latest updates on this story with BBC Merseyside Live
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Sir Jon Murphy paid tribute to Mr Phillips, who was married to Jen and a father to two daughters Abigail, seven, and Sophie, three.Merseyside Police Chief Constable Sir Jon Murphy paid tribute to Mr Phillips, who was married to Jen and a father to two daughters Abigail, seven, and Sophie, three.
He said: "This is an incredibly sad day for Merseyside Police. His daughters will have to grow up without their father." He said: "This is an incredibly sad day for Merseyside Police. His daughters will have to grow up without their father. He didn't stand a chance."
He also appealed for the perpetrators to "do the sensible thing, do the right thing and give yourselves up".He also appealed for the perpetrators to "do the sensible thing, do the right thing and give yourselves up".
"If you don't, we will find you," he added."If you don't, we will find you," he added.
"We've got no idea who has done this. We have an abandoned vehicle and at this moment we have nothing left.""We've got no idea who has done this. We have an abandoned vehicle and at this moment we have nothing left."
'Very real dangers'
Home Secretary Theresa May said in a statement: "My thoughts are with the family and friends of the officer who has sadly died and with his many colleagues in Merseyside Police and the wider policing community.Home Secretary Theresa May said in a statement: "My thoughts are with the family and friends of the officer who has sadly died and with his many colleagues in Merseyside Police and the wider policing community.
"The police strive to keep us and our families safe, taking risks so we can live peacefully."The police strive to keep us and our families safe, taking risks so we can live peacefully.
"When a police officer falls in the line of duty, their death is a reminder of the very real dangers they face day in, day out, as they put themselves in harm's way to deal with violent criminals and dangerous situations.""When a police officer falls in the line of duty, their death is a reminder of the very real dangers they face day in, day out, as they put themselves in harm's way to deal with violent criminals and dangerous situations."
The incident happened in an area of Wallasey docks surrounded by industrial units and oil tanks. A statement from Merseyside Police said officers had earlier attended a burglary at the estate agents on Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead.
Scenes of crime investigators are now starting to examine the road. During the raid the offenders stole the red Mitsubishi pick-up vehicle, which was then pursued by officers.
During the raid the offenders stole the Mitsubishi, which was then pursued by officers. PC Phillips was one of two neighbourhood patrol officers who made efforts to stop the car on the A5139 Dock Road, police said. He was pronounced dead after being taken to Wirral's Arrowe Park Hospital.
The policeman killed was one of two neighbourhood patrol officers who made efforts to stop the car, police said. He was pronounced dead after being taken to Wirral's Arrowe Park Hospital.
The officers had used a device known as a stop stick, which is thrown across the road and has spikes to burst vehicles' tyres.The officers had used a device known as a stop stick, which is thrown across the road and has spikes to burst vehicles' tyres.
The officer's family has been informed and a family liaison officer is providing support, police said.
Detectives are now examining CCTV footage in a bid to identify the offenders.Detectives are now examining CCTV footage in a bid to identify the offenders.
Wallasey Road North, Corbyn Street and the estate agents in Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, have been cordoned off as forensic examinations take place. A green tarpaulin was placed at the spot where PC Phillips was struck as scenes of crime investigators examined the road.
Wallasey Road North, Corbyn Street and the estate agents in Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, remain cordoned off as forensic examinations take place.
Diversions have been put in place at Wallasey Road North and Woodchurch Road.Diversions have been put in place at Wallasey Road North and Woodchurch Road.
Police are yet to make any arrests. The Mitsubishi was later found abandoned in Corbyn Street, Wallasey. The Mitsubishi was found abandoned in Corbyn Street, Wallasey.
Officers are urging witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.Officers are urging witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
Mike Tonge, a former deputy chief constable of Merseyside Police, said officers would "pull together" during what is a "very difficult time".Mike Tonge, a former deputy chief constable of Merseyside Police, said officers would "pull together" during what is a "very difficult time".
"Police will be feeling pain for the officer and his family, but people will pull together and get through this," he said."Police will be feeling pain for the officer and his family, but people will pull together and get through this," he said.
"Sadly the driver of this car has been so reckless that he's taken the life of a police officer."Sadly the driver of this car has been so reckless that he's taken the life of a police officer.
"Undoubtedly a review will take place to look at all the procedures for how this event has come to pass.""Undoubtedly a review will take place to look at all the procedures for how this event has come to pass."
Phil Davies, leader of Wirral Council, said: 'We absolutely condemn the murder of this neighbourhood patrol officer, killed during the course of their duties.Phil Davies, leader of Wirral Council, said: 'We absolutely condemn the murder of this neighbourhood patrol officer, killed during the course of their duties.
"As a council, we will do whatever we can to assist the police in their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice."As a council, we will do whatever we can to assist the police in their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
"I would like to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of the officer, and of course colleagues, who will be feeling the loss of one of their own very deeply this morning.""I would like to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of the officer, and of course colleagues, who will be feeling the loss of one of their own very deeply this morning."
Hundreds of people have also taken to social media to leave tributes and express their shock.Hundreds of people have also taken to social media to leave tributes and express their shock.
Surrey Police Chief Constable Lynne Owens wrote on Twitter: "Awful news from Merseyside Police. Sending heartfelt thoughts to family, friends and colleagues from all Surrey Police."Surrey Police Chief Constable Lynne Owens wrote on Twitter: "Awful news from Merseyside Police. Sending heartfelt thoughts to family, friends and colleagues from all Surrey Police."
Lucy Parrott, an ambulance dispatcher for West Midlands Ambulance Service, wrote: "Heartbreaking news about Mersey Police this morning. Thoughts with them and ambulance colleagues that tried to save the officer"Lucy Parrott, an ambulance dispatcher for West Midlands Ambulance Service, wrote: "Heartbreaking news about Mersey Police this morning. Thoughts with them and ambulance colleagues that tried to save the officer"
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