Policeman killed in Wallasey hit-and-run named as dad-of-two PC Dave Phillips
Murder investigation launched by Merseyside Police into killing of beat bobby
The policeman killed in a “deliberate” hit-and-run in Wallasey was today named as married dad-of-two PC Dave Phillips.
A murder investigation was launched following the death of the police officer in the early hours of this morning.
Married dad-of-two PC Dave Phillips, 34, was struck by a stolen Mitsubishi after deploying a tyre deflator stinger in a bid to bring the vehicle to a halt during a high-speed chase.
A murder investigation was launched today as tributes to the beat bobby began to be paid.
He leaves behind his wife, Jen, and daughters Abigail, seven, and Sophie, three.
PC Phillips, who had served Merseyside Police for nine years, was among patrols responding to the theft of a pick-up from estate agent, Oxton Estates, in Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead.
The red truck, which was branded with the estate agent’s livery, was being driven at speed and when it was spotted by a police patrol car just before 1.30am.
Officers then went in pursuit – resulting in a 40 minute chase.
At 2.08am, the Mitsubishi L200 Challenger was being driven along Wallasey Dock North Road when it appeared to deliberately mount the central reservation where PC Phillips and a colleague were standing after throwing down a tyre deflator.
Colleague 'lucky' to avoid being hit
The Mitsubishi struck PC Phillips, reportedly at high-speed, before being driven off. His colleague was said to be “lucky” to avoid also being hit.
Despite first aid being carried out by colleagues, he was pronounced dead at Arrowe Park hospital a short time later.
The vehicle was later found abandoned in Corbyn Street, nearly four miles away.
A huge inflatable tent was set up in the tiny cul-de-sac, in the midst of a large area scarred by a vast series of blue and white tape.
Neighbours say they heard nothing as the vehicle arrived in the street this morning following the incident.
Officers had asked if anyone had heard the “screeching of tyres”, but the first most knew of the incident was when they woke to the police presence.
Corbyn Street, Harlech Street and Birkenhead Road were all cordoned off, with the disruption causing traffic delays as motorists were refused entry to one of the key routes into Wallasey.
Forensic officers examined the scene intensively as the small residential community lying just off the industrial Wallasey docklands came under scrutiny.
Neighbours on all sides of the cordon said the incident was worrying but claimed they heard no unusual noise last night apart from a street argument between a group of lads in what appears to be an unrelated matter.
One man told the ECHO: “I came outside and the police officer was standing there just after 7am. The officer turned around and said ‘did you hear anything?’ Last night around one-ish there were three lads arguing but that was nothing to do with it.
Tthe officer just asked if I heard screeching tyres but there was nothing, I didn’t hear a thing.”
Neighbours on Wheatland Lane, whose homes overlook Harlech Road, the only road into Corbyn Street, said police turned up with blue lights flashing but no sirens.
While Corbyn Street is in a cul-de-sac there is a cut through from Birkenhead Road. A gap in a row of bollards means the Mitsubishi may have accessed the street by mounting the kerb, making it unclear how the vehicle reached its final destination.
Private CCTV is thought to be available on nearby streets and the ECHO understands police have made enquiries in relation to it.
Forensics teams clad in white suits descended on Oxton Estates to comb for clues this morning.
The cordon continued around the junction with Halcyon Road.
Neighbours tell what they saw
A neighbour said: “I didn’t hear a thing. I read it on the news, then looked out of the window to see police cars. I thought I was dreaming.
"I feel so sorry for the police officer’s family.”
Other neighbours described hearing an alarm on the premises regularly “blaring out”.
One woman said: “I was sickened to hear the man had died. It was quiet last night, which is unusual.
“I think they took a big pick-up truck, it’s always outside the shop but it was gone this morning.
“I had to walk my kids past all the police cars this morning. It’s not what you want your family to wake up to.”
Green tarpaulin this morning lay where PC Phillips was struck, with ten police cars at the scene.
A large police cordon saw traffic diverted, causing delays towards the Wallasey Tunnel.
Angela Eagle, MP for Wallasey, was among those paying tributes to PC Phillips.
She said: “I was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of the police officer who was killed in Wallasey earlier this morning.
“He died doing his job of keeping the public safe and my thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
“I know that the local community will work together with the police to ensure that those responsible for this terrible crime are apprehended and brought to justice. Anyone with any information should contact Merseyside police immediately.”
The murder of PC Phillips is the first unlawful death in the line of duty since PC Ray Davenport, 35, was killed trying to stop a stolen car in Liverpool city centre in July 1981.
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.
RIP and condolences to his family.
