Pc Killed By Car Thief To Be Honoured

A police officer killed by a teenage car thief is being honoured for his "professionalism and kindness".

Pc Dave Phillips, 34, will receive a Freedom of the Borough award from Wirral Council at a ceremony on Friday.

He was thrown into the air and died almost instantly from "catastrophic" injuries in October after being hit by a car driven at high speed by teenager Clayton Williams.

Williams was convicted of Pc Phillips' manslaughter in March and jailed for 20 years.

The 19-year-old admitted dangerous driving but maintained he did not intend to injure anyone and just wanted to evade capture following a burglary.

Pc Phillips, who was a father of two, was well known in the local community and worked closely with Wirral Council and other organisations to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

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The police officer's family, including his widow Jen, 29, is receiving the award in his honour at a ceremony at Wallasey Town Hall.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy is attending, alongside Chief Constable Sir Jon Murphy and other invited dignitaries.

Ms Kennedy said: "Constable 6554 David Phillips grew up in the Wirral and joined his local Force, Merseyside Police, to serve the people of his local community.

"He joined because he wanted to help keep the people of the Wirral safe, including his beloved wife and daughters.

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"Pc Phillips made the ultimate sacrifice in his commitment to his community and I can think of no-one more deserving of this, the Borough's highest recognition."

The leader of Wirral Council, Phil Davies, said: "It is obvious from the comments in the books of condolence that Pc Phillips touched many lives with his professionalism, judgement and kindness.

"On behalf of the people of Wirral, we want to pay tribute to those qualities by awarding Pc Phillips the highest civic honour we can."