Merseyside prepares to say farewell to Wirral policeman Dave Phillips

The 34-year-old, described as a “hero daddy” by his children Abigail, seven, and Sophie, three, was killed while carrying out his duties in the early hours of October 5.

The service - which starts at noon - will be led by The Reverend Lyndon Bannon, Assistant Priest at Willaston and Assistant Headteacher of Woodchurch High School.

The Dean of Liverpool, the Very Revd Dr Peter Wilcox will welcome the congregation, and the sermon will be given by the Right Revd Keith Sinclair, the Bishop of Birkenhead.

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd Paul Bayes will give the blessing.

During the service, tributes will be paid by PC Phillips' sister Hannah and colleague and friend Dave Lamont and Merseyside Police Chief Constable, Sir Jon Murphy. PC Phillips' sister Kate will read a poem she has written in memory of her brother, while Dave's best friend, Dave George will deliver a reading from the Gospel according to St John.

PC David Phillips with wife Jen.

The Reverend Lyndon Bannon said: “We are all giving thanks for the life of Dave, for the joy and happiness he brought to so many different people and we also continue to pray for the family at this most difficult time. The dignity and courage Jen has displayed these past few weeks has been remarkable.”

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd Paul Bayes, added: "The tragedy of PC Dave Phillips' death is a stark reminder of the dangers that those who are called to serve in our police forces face.

"As we gather in the cathedral to celebrate his life and mourn his death, that call to duty will be felt by many people across the Merseyside region and beyond. I salute the dedication of all who serve to protect our society.

"I pray that this service will be a fitting tribute to a fine young man. But above all I give thanks for courageous officers such as Dave and pray God’s comfort for his young family."

Prior to the service the family of PC Phillips will follow the funeral cortege to the Cathedral, they will be joined in the procession by the Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Sir Jon Murphy, Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy, Chief Officers, friends and colleagues of PC Phillips from Wirral and officers and support staff from across Merseyside Police.

It is expected that officers and staff from other forces from across the UK will also join the walk to the cathedral.

The cortege will be led by the pipes and drums band of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and officers from Merseyside Police Mounted Department.

For those members of the public who wish to pay their respects and show their support for the family of PC Phillips the route that the funeral cortege will take is as follows:

• The procession will enter the Strand at approximately 10.50am and will then proceed around Merseyside Police Headquarters and travel up Duke Street to the Cathedral arriving there at approximately 11.30am.
   
• Any members of the public who wish to pay their respects are kindly asked to follow the officers in the formal police procession by joining at the rear once it has passed them.
   
• Any members of the public who wish to go straight to the cathedral should be there by 11.30am. They will be asked to respectfully wait at a designated area on the Cathedral grounds (stewards for the diocese will be on hand to advise the public where they can wait) for the procession to arrive and are asked to enter the Cathedral once the family, officers and staff who have taken part in the procession have entered.

Chief Superintendent Jon Ward, who is in charge of the policing operation, said: "Extensive planning has taken place in relation to the funeral and I would like in advance to ask motorists coming in to the city to be aware that rolling roadblocks will be in place along the route to ensure that the funeral cortege can safely make its way to the Cathedral.

"Canada Boulevard will also be closed between 9.30am and 11.30am. I would like to thank motorists and members of the public for their patience in the event of minimal disruption on the day."

He added: "It is expected that officers and staff from across Merseyside will be taking part in the funeral procession to pay their respects to a much revered colleague.

"As a result we have put contingencies in across the force to ensure that policing levels across Merseyside are maintained and I would like to reassure the public that they will get their normal policing service."

PC Phillips died after he was hit by a stolen Mitsubishi pick-up truck in Wallasey.

He had been trying to use a stinger device to stop the car when it swerved on to the central reservation of Wallasey link road and hit him.

The 18-year-old accused of killing him appeared before a crown court judge last week.

Clayton Williams, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey, is accused of killing the father-of-two who was trying to stop a stolen vehicle in the early hours of October 5.

Williams appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video link from Altcourse prison along with Philip Stuart, 30, of Mayfair Court, Oxton, who is alleged to have been his passenger and who is charged with the aggravated unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle and burglary.

Also appearing via video link were Georgia Clarke, 19, Dawn Cooper, 34, and Michael Smith, 19, who are charged with assisting an offender.

Georgia Clarke, of Knowsley Road, Wallasey, Dawn Cooper, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey and Michael Smith, of Widmore Road, Gateacre are alleged to have burnt and attempted to dispose of the clothing of a murder suspect.

Blonde haired Clarke was seen crying and was comforted by a female prison officer as the proceedings began today.

Judge Alan Conrad, QC, further remanded them all until January 8 when they are expected to enter their pleas.

A date for their trial at Preston Crown Court before Mr Justice Davis, estimated to last three weeks, was fixed to begin on March 7.