A police officer has been struck and killed by a stolen car during a pursuit in Merseyside.
The officer was hit by a red Mitsubishi pick-up vehicle which mounted a central reservation along Wallasey Dock Road North, Wallasey, at 02:10 BST.
He had been trying to stop the vehicle – which was taken from an estate agents in Birkenhead an hour earlier – when he was struck.
A murder investigation is under way and police are examining CCTV.
A statement from Merseyside Police said officers had earlier attended a burglary at the estate agents on Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead.
The road where the officer was killed is sealed off and there’s a heavy police presence.
A green tarpaulin had been placed at the spot where the officer was struck.
The incident happened in an area of Wallasey docks surrounded by industrial units and oil tanks.
Scenes of crime investigators are now starting to examine the road.
During the raid the offenders stole the Mitsubishi, which was then pursued by officers.
The policeman killed was one of two neighbourhood patrol officers who made efforts to stop the car, police said. He was pronounced dead after being taken to Wirral’s Arrowe Park Hospital.
The officers had used a device known as a stop stick, which is thrown across the road and has spikes to burst vehicles’ tyres.
The officer’s family has been informed and a family liaison officer is providing support, police said.
Detectives are now examining CCTV footage in a bid to identify the offenders.
Wallasey Road North, Corbyn Street and the estate agents in Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, have been cordoned off as forensic examinations take place.
Diversions have been put in place at Wallasey Road North and Woodchurch Road.
Police are yet to make any arrests. The Mitsubishi was later found abandoned in Corbyn Street, Wallasey.
Officers are urging witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
