POLICE officer Dave Phillips killed in the line of duty is to be granted Freedom of the Borough and the Wirral Award this week in tribute to his public service.

During a brief meeting of Wirral Council's cabinet at the end of April, councillors confirmed that the honour will be presented to PC Phillips' family this Friday.

Constable Phillips died in October after being struck by a stolen vehicle he was trying to stop as it sped through Wallasey.

Nineteen-year-old Clayton Williams was convicted of his man- slaughter earlier last month and sentenced to 20 years in jail.

Constable Phillips was well known in the local community and worked closely with the council and other organisations to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

In the weeks following his death, hundreds of people signed books of condolence opened at Wallasey and Birkenhead town halls.

The ceremony to present Freedom of the Borough and the Wirral Award to the family of PC Phillips will take place in Wallasey Town Hall at a special meeting of the council on Friday.

Attending the evening will be family members and invited guests who will pay their own tributes.

Council leader Cllr Phil Davies said: "It will be an opportunity to pay tribute to Dave and it's important that we mark this event in that way.

"The cabinet were all shocked when we heard the news last October of the death of PC Phillips.

"It was a massive shock to the borough. It brought the community together in shock, grief and solidarity.

"We saw the huge numbers of people who signed books of condolence at Wallasey and Birkenhead town halls.

“The loss of Dave brought home to us just what an incredibly difficult job the police have got to keep the people of Wirral safe.

"Conferring the freedom of the borough is a fitting tribute.

"In bestowing this award, we hope it will bring some comfort to the family of Dave“He was very proud of being a police officer and carried out his job with bravery and professionalism."

Deputy mayor Ann McLachlan, who in April proposed the honour be conferred, said: "We were all shocked when we heard that 'one of our own,' 

"PC Phillips, had been killed while carrying out his duties in Wallasey last October.

"He was very proud of being a police officer and carried out his job with bravery and professionalism.

"We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his bravery and courage in public service."

Clayton Williams, 19, was found guilty of manslaughter over the hit-and-run death of PC Phillips the early hours of October 5 last year.