Beds Police federation tribute to murdered Merseyside policeman

Mystery surrounds the motive behind a break-in at an estate and letting agency which ended with a police officer being hit and killed by a stolen auto.

A Home Office postmortem examination said Phillips died from internal injuries suffered from the impact with the vehicle.

The officer’s colleagues carried out CPR before he was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital, but he was pronounced dead a short while later.

A police constable “didn’t stand a chance” when he was deliberately killed by burglars who rammed him with their stolen vehicle, the victim’s chief constable said yesterday.

A fundraising page set up to support the family of murdered PC Dave Phillips has already exceeded its target – less than 24 hours after it was set up.

It released a photograph of the red Mitsubishi pick-up truck, stolen during a burglary in Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, at around 1am on Monday and, following the collision with Pc Phillips, found abandoned in Corbyn Street, Wallasey at 2.55am.

Police said the officer lived with wife Jen and their two daughters Abigail, 7, and Sophie, 3.

Merseyside Police earlier tweeted: “Thank you to everybody for their messages of condolence at this sad time”.

“David’s death serves as a reminder of the risks that the men and women of this force and the other forces in the United Kingdom face, in serving the public”, he added.

“It’s a dark day when you lose one of our own and it’s a painful reminder of the risks police officers face to keep us all safe”.

“Sadly, David did not and his daughters will have to grow up without their father”.

A murder investigation is under way and police are examining CCTV.

Bedfordshire Police Federation chairman Jim Mallen has extended his sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of a Merseyside police officer killed in the early hours of this morning.

One anonymous donor said: “Rest in Peace Dave”.

Anyone who has any information which could help the police with their inquiries is asked to contact 0151 777 2263, or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.