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Police officer dies after being hit by stolen car on Merseyside Police officer knocked down by stolen truck ‘didn’t stand a chance’
(35 minutes later)
A murder investigation has been launched after a police officer was killed in a hit-and-run incident while trying to stop suspected burglars during a chase in Wallasey, Merseyside. A police officer knocked down and killed by a stolen pick-up truck “didn’t stand a chance”, his chief constable has said.
A stolen Mitsubishi pick-up truck was being driven at speed when it was spotted by a police patrol car, which gave chase. The pursued vehicle appeared to deliberately mount the central reservation where two neighbourhood officers were standing after deploying a “stop stick” – a device used by police to halt stolen cars during pursuits. The vehicle struck one of the officers. PC David Phillips was standing on a central reservation when the stolen Mitsubishi, which was being pursued by police following a burglary, mounted the kerb and hit him at speed before driving off.
The officer had been called to the aftermath of the burglary at an estate agent in Birkenhead just after 1am on Monday morning. The suspects stole the red vehicle, which was then pursued by police after being spotted at 1.28am. Phillips, 34, was given emergency first aid by colleagues and rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards, Merseyside police said. He was married and had two young daughters, Abigail, seven and Sophie, three.
The officer, who was hit just after 2am, was given emergency first aid by colleagues and taken to Arrowe Park hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The stolen vehicle was found abandoned a short time later. The officer’s family have been informed and a family liaison officer is providing support. The stolen vehicle was found abandoned a short time later in Wallasey.
“He didn’t stand a chance,” said Sir John Murphy, the chief constable of Merseyside police.
A murder investigation was launched after the stolen Mitsubishi pick-up truck hit the officer. It was being driven at speed when it was spotted by a police patrol car, which gave chase. The pursued vehicle appeared to deliberately mount the central reservation where two neighbourhood officers were standing after deploying a “stop stick” – a device used by police to halt stolen cars during pursuits.
PC Phillips had been called to the aftermath of the burglary at an estate agent in Birkenhead just after 1am on Monday. The suspects stole the red vehicle, which was then pursued by police after being spotted at 1.28am.
Phillips, who was hit just after 2am, was given emergency first aid by colleagues and taken to Arrowe Park hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The stolen vehicle was found abandoned a short time later. The officer’s family have been informed and a family liaison officer is providing support.
Detectives were examining CCTV footage as part of the murder investigation.Detectives were examining CCTV footage as part of the murder investigation.
Two roads and a premises on Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, have been cordoned off while forensic examinations are carried out. Diversions were in place on Dock Road North in Wallasey and Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, and motorists have been asked to avoid the areas and find alternative routes.Two roads and a premises on Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, have been cordoned off while forensic examinations are carried out. Diversions were in place on Dock Road North in Wallasey and Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, and motorists have been asked to avoid the areas and find alternative routes.
Theresa May, the home secretary, led tributes, saying 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... 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.” Theresa May, the home secretary, led tributes to the officer, saying 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 ... 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.”
Angela Eagle, the MP for Wallasey and shadow business secretary, expressed her shock at the incident.Angela Eagle, the MP for Wallasey and shadow business secretary, expressed her shock at the incident.
Shocked to hear about the incident on the dock road in Wallasey Thoughts with family of the murdered police officerShocked to hear about the incident on the dock road in Wallasey Thoughts with family of the murdered police officer
Emergency services personnel and police also expressed condolences on Twitter. Emergency services personnel and police also gave their condolences on Twitter.
Heartbreaking news about @MerseyPolice this morning. Thoughts with them & ambulance colleagues that tried to save the officer #999familyHeartbreaking news about @MerseyPolice this morning. Thoughts with them & ambulance colleagues that tried to save the officer #999family
RIP to our police friends, the thin blue line gets a little thinner with every tragedy #999family https://t.co/kYeOTLUNq0RIP to our police friends, the thin blue line gets a little thinner with every tragedy #999family https://t.co/kYeOTLUNq0
Tragic news felt by everybody in our office. The true danger of stinger deployment and pursuits. #RIP #policefamily http://t.co/tS4emNEWi7Tragic news felt by everybody in our office. The true danger of stinger deployment and pursuits. #RIP #policefamily http://t.co/tS4emNEWi7
This is the second death to hit Merseyside police in the last 12 months. In December 2014 newlywed PC Neil Doyle, then 36, was killed while off duty with colleagues in Liverpool city centre. This is the second death of a Merseyside police officer in the past 12 months. In December 2014, newlywed PC Neil Doyle, 36, was killed while off duty with colleagues in Liverpool city centre.
In September 2012, police constables Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes were lured to a property in Mottram, east of Manchester, by Dale Cregan before being murdered in a gun and grenade attack.In September 2012, police constables Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes were lured to a property in Mottram, east of Manchester, by Dale Cregan before being murdered in a gun and grenade attack.
More than 1,600 officers have lost their lives while performing vital duties, according to a national police memorial roll of honour which lists all those who have been killed by criminal acts in the line of duty since 1680. More than 1,600 officers have lost their lives while performing vital duties, according to a national police memorial roll of honour that lists all those who have been killed by criminal acts in the line of duty since 1680.
Anyone with information that could help the police with their inquiries is asked to contact 0151 777 2263, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.Anyone with information that could help the police with their inquiries is asked to contact 0151 777 2263, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.