Hundreds turn out for candlelit vigil held in memory of murdered Wirral police officer David Phillips

Police officers, paramedics and firefighters were among those paying their respects to 34-year-old father-of-two PC Phillips, who was killed during a hit-and-run in Wallasey in the early hours of Monday morning.

Dozens of candles were lit at Fort Perch Rock next to balloons reading '6554' - PC Phillips' collar number.

The event was organised by Mandy Fellows, from Bidston.

The 41-year-old set up the ‘R.I.P David Phillips PC killed in line of duty’ Facebook page earlier this week and appealed for people to turn out this evening to remember 'gentle giant' PC Phillips.

Reverend Mike Boyd read aloud the poem Beacon of Light at the community organised event before dozens of balloons were released into the sky.

Mandy told the Globe she was overwhelmed with the turn-out.

Asked what made her set up the group, she said: "Just a big heart, big love, just appreciation for the job that he was doing and it's just tragic the way he was killed. It's just horrible.

"I just thought I'd start a little page, put a little post and then all of a sudden, there's so much support and it's good because it shows they're there for us and we're there for them."

Mandy said it is important that people remember the risks police officers take to protect the public.

As she looked on the candles lit in PC Phillips' memory, Mandy added: "I'm so glad I started that page.

"I thought it would be wonderful for everyone to get together to show our support and heartfelt sympathy to David and his family after this tragic act by a person who needs to be caught.

"This wonderful officer went to work leaving his wife and children expecting to return and now he will not, I cannot imagine how they feel or his fellow officers.

"We all just need to get together and light a candle for him, to show how much we appreciate what these men and women do day in day out and to remember PC David Phillips."

Candles are lit next to balloons reading '6554' - PC David Phillips' collar number. Picture by Emma Rigby.

The vigil comes just hours after PC Phillips' family spoke of how wonderful a man he was who would do anything for his family.

In a heartbreaking video released today, his children Abigail, aged seven, and Sophie, aged three, paid tribute to "the best dad in the world", a man they knew as "super daddy".

Wife Jen, 28, broke down as PC Phillips' sister Hannah spoke of the true the couple shared. 

PC David Phillips "didn't stand a chance" when he was struck by the stolen Mitsubishi L200 Challenger after deploying a tyre deflator stinger in a bid to bring the vehicle to a halt during a high-speed chase.

It came directly at him and a young colleague as they tried to stop it with a "stinger" device to puncture its wheels.

Sir Jon Murphy, chief constable of Merseyside, said the father of two, "did not stand a chance" as he was hit by the truck, stolen in a burglary and later found abandoned in Corbyn Street, Wallasey at 2.55am.

Colleagues of the officer tried to save his life before he was rushed to hospital, but he died shortly after arrival.

A Home Office post-mortem examination said the officer died from internal injuries suffered in the impact with the vehicle.

Candles are lit next to balloons reading '6554' - PC David Phillips' collar number. Picture by Emma Rigby.

The stolen car was found abandoned a short time later in Corbyn Street.

Chair of Merseyside Police Federation Peter Singleton said it was a "desolate day".

He described PC Phillips as a "dedicated husband and father".

Police said the neighbourhood patrol officer had been deployed to assist following a burglary at an estate agent's premises in Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, just after 1am.

During the burglary the offenders stole a red Mitsubishi L200 Challenger - branded with the estate agent's livery - which was spotted by a police patrol at 1.28am.

Officers then went in pursuit – resulting in a 40 minute chase.

At 2.08am, the Mitsubishi 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.

Six people remain in custody this evening in connection with his murder. Two on suspicion of murder and four on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Tranmere Rovers will hold a minute's silence in memory of PC Phillips before their match against Eastleigh on Saturday.

The club’s vice chairman Nicola Palios tweeted that there will also be a ground collection.