A MASSIVE police hunt has been mounted for a gunman who murdered a traffic cop and wounded his colleague.
The brutal killing, which took place during a routine check on a stolen vehicle in Leeds yesterday, was described by police as "an appalling, dreadful attack."
The wife of the murdered officer, a 34-year-old Pc, was said to be "absolutely distraught."
The second officer, who is in his 40s, underwent surgery last night. He was said to be in a stable and non life-threatening condition.
Before he was taken into theatre, the injured officer managed to give detectives a description of the gunman. He is described as white, in his 30s to 40s, of stocky build and with a tanned or olive complexion.
Throughout last night, police from all over West Yorkshire volunteered to help in the hunt.
The shootings happened at around 4pm yesterday after the two traffic policemen noticed a BMW was parked in an unusual way on Dib Lane, near the junction with the A58 Easterly Road in the Roundhay area of Leeds.
They discovered it was a stolen vehicle.
The BMW was about to be placed on a low-loader and the officers were in the process of arresting the suspect.
They had placed him in a rear seat of their traffic car when he suddenly produced a handgun.
He shot each policeman several times, fatally wounding the officer in the front seat.
The fleeing gunman then fired indiscriminately into the street before threatening a woman in a car parked at nearby shops. He hijacked the car, a green 6-series Rover, and drove off.
The car he snatched, which has the registration number L410 PMB, has not yet been traced by police
Det Supt Chris Gregg, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "This was an attack on two unarmed officers which can only be described as an appalling, dreadful, attack."
Distraught
The dead officer's wife is "absolutely distraught, deeply distressed and in a state of disbelief", he said.
Chief Constable John Sampson said: "Police officers sometimes pay a high price for safeguarding our community, one officer this evening has paid the highest price."
By a tragic twist of fate, it was Assistant Chief Constable Sampson's father - Colin Sampson - who 19 years ago gave a press conference after the last West Yorkshire officer to be killed on duty, Sgt John Speed, was gunned down in the city.
In the streets around Dib Lane, neighbours were in shock. One resident, who did not want to be named, said the area around the shooting was a strong, local community.
"I can only describe what happened as so sad. It is disgusting and so upsetting, especially at this time of the year for someone to lose their husband in this way," the resident said.
Another said: "It's an all right area. It's very quiet, nothing ever really happens."
This area of Leeds, Oakwood, has in recent times enjoyed increasing property prices, becoming a favourite with young families.
Leafy streets, highly-rated schools, and its closeness to the beautiful Roundhay Park, has seen its popularity rise.
Civil servants Mrs Pauline Duckworth, whose house in North Way, Oakwood, overlooks the scene of the shooting, said the killing was a sign of the times.
"It is so very sad - but unfortunately its the way that the climate in which we live is going," she said.
"Drugs are a problem and there are people out there who will do anything for their next `fix'. But, there is little in the way of punishment, nowadays."
Sheila Logan, a retired hospital worker, of Dib Lane, said: "The police have a difficult job and court sentences don't help them.
"What has happened is so shocking. The police have a hard job - but today has shown how dangerous it can be. It's terrible.
"They do their business in difficult and, as we know now, highly dangerous circumstances."
Jan Berry, the chairwoman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: "This tragedy highlights the growing dangers police officers face every day when serving and protecting their local communities.
"Our thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues at this difficult time."
More than 50 police officers have been killed since 1980 in the battle against the increasing violence on Britain's streets.
Between 1980 and 1989, 30 officers were killed in the line of duty, between 1990 and 1999 a further 18 perished and from 2000 to date eight officers have lost their lives.
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Bring back hanging for gun crime in particular.
Once again I am writing about the death or near death of another police officer.
As I have said in previous messages, I am an ex Manchester officer and an ex deputy sheriff here in America and one thing I continously harp about is why the officers are not trained in frisking a suspect before being placed in a police car and why do they not put the cuffs on them. This is the third time I have written on this subject, twice to the Brief ( GMP's newsletter) and now this. You need reform in this area and the risk of a police getting killed will be greatly reduced. It has saved my life on one occasion.
GIVE THE POLICE MORE POWER ALL POLICEMAN SHOULD HAVE GUNS IN the U.K.
Murder is such an easy way out these days. The prospect of ten years in prison is nothing to scum bags who may receive a similar sentence for a lesser crime, perhaps the one for which he is trying to evade capture.
It is unrealistic to suggest that the death penalty be re-introduced for the murder of those who protect the public, unrealistic, though sad.
The new guidelines of a 30 year sentence for the murder of a police officer is a help, but most police killers will still see the light of day when their sentence is complete. Mandatory incarceration for the term of their natural life is the only sentence which can be bestowed upon the people who find human life so cheap, and are prepared to kill even when the sentence they face isn't that big:' Steal a car, 12 months in prison if you are unlucky, kill a cop, no witnesses, yea, it's worth it, might get caught-lawyer will get it down to manslaughter or find some loophole, yea!'
Unfortunately, arming our police isn't the solution:very few officers would have the opportunity to return fire, being taken by surprise, unless that is we can live with a society like the USA where a firearm may be pointed at you every time you are stopped in your car.
Additionally, English law does not have the provisions of other countries, such as the laws in Australian states and territories, which gives people the right to kill another person, a right particularly conferred upon police and prison officers. Instead, English law has 'Such force as is reasonable in the circumstances'. I put it to any rational person, if your colleague was shot and the assailant was running away, would you shoot him? In Australia, you could, in England, it's you who is going to prison!
What's my point?
A complete overhal of the law relating to murder and lawful killing. The provision of sentences which cannot be appealed, mitigated, plea- bargained, whatever, of life in prison, and all of it in a maximum-security prison. The provision for an escaping murderer to be killed whilst fleeing.
In addition, I do not know what body armour the officers were wearing, if any, but how about spending whatever it takes to make stab and ballistic proof body armour which can be worn comfortably-that should go a long way to providing officers the protection they deserve.
Stop these tragedies.
Give police officers the ability to defend themselves and protect the citizens they serve.
A vulnerable police force jeopardizes the very society they serve.
Arm all police officers, now!
URGH HOW MANY MORE TIMES!!!!! Listen gun ho joe americans, we do well in the UK not to have armed everyday PC's. I personally dont think it would make any dif if they were armed, plus I wouldnt feel safe. No one has the right to a gun here, in the states u do. Guns are evil, they should all be melted down. Arm the police here and what a sad day it will be.