What an absolute disgrace...what the fuck is wrong with people. Paints a bad picture of the most friendly City I've ever visited. R.I.P Neil Doyle
Police hunt three men over PC Neil Doyle killing as force probe that he was 'recognised as an officer' before being attacked
Chief constable Sir Jon Murphy says one line of enquiry is that 'group of officers on night out were recognised before attack'
Off-duty policeman Neil Doyle, who died after a street assault in Liverpool city centre this morning, may have been recognised by his killers as a police officer.
Merseyside Police today stepped up a murder investigation after the PC, 36, was killed in the early hours of this morning.
Two other off-duty officers were also injured in the attack during a Christmas night out with their friends and other colleagues.
Police this afternoon confirmed that they were hunting three men in connection with the 'vicious' attack.
Chief constable Sir Jon Murphy told the ECHO that an officer told the force that the attackers appeared to have recognised their victims.
A spokesman confirmed that was a line of enquiry today being looked into.
He told how the three men, including newlywed PC Doyle, had left a pub in the city and were confronted on Colquitt Street.
He said: “There is no indication whatsoever they were involved in any kind of argument or altercation earlier in the evening, as far as we can establish.
They left the pub earlier than the others and there has been an altercation. The officer I have spoken to has indicated that the individuals who approached them referred to them as police officers.
“They then assaulted the officers, leaving two with nasty head injuries and resulting in the tragic death of Neil.
“We can’t confirm this certainly at this early stage but that is what it looks like.”
Police were called to the scene, near to the Aloha club, at around 3.15am after receiving reports of an assault.
Paramedics, police and doorman all tried in vain to save PC Doyle’s life.
Sir Jon said: “I want to pay tribute to the paramedics who worked so hard at the scene, along with members of the public to help the officers.
“I want to thank the on-duty officers who worked in difficult and emotional circumstances, who were able to remain calm, professional and did what they were able to do.”
The force was this afternoon holding a press conference as a manhunt for the attackers stepped up.
Eaton Road PC Doyle had married his partner of 16 years, Sarah, just five months ago and the pair were set to enjoy their honeymoon in the New Year.
The officer had also worked out of Tuebrook and Walton Lane during his 10 years’ service.
Sir Jon said: “He was a hard-working operational officer, well respected by colleagues.
“He had been a member of the force for 10 years, always working in challenging areas such as Tuebrook, Walton and Eaton Road.
“He has previously been commended for his professionalism in the arrest of three men for a violent robbery. He was an officer who did his job in a professional manner.
“On a personal level, he had only been married for five months.
“He and Sarah were due to go on honeymoon in January. He leaves behind his brother Greg and his mum Theresa.”
Tributes today began pouring in for the “hard-working bobby”, who was based out of Eaton Road police station in West Derby.
The chairman of Merseyside Police Federation, Peter Singleton, said colleagues were devastated” by the news.
He said: “He was a good, well-liked, hard-working bobby who did his best to support the community.
“He had commendations from the force for his good work.
“Sometimes it seems hollow and false to say these words but he really was a good, skilled, dependable cop, who would always do his best for the public.”
It is understood that Mr Doyle’s colleagues and nearby doormen helped efforts to give him first aid before paramedics arrived.
Mr Singleton said: “It is horrible to lose a colleague at any time but he had only been married five months and it is just coming up to Christmas.
“It is a really tough time for his family and his colleagues.”
Mr Singleton said that colleagues of Mr Doyle, a patrol officer of 10 years’ service, “were in bits”.
He added: “If you’re a sergeant, police constables like Mr Doyle are exactly what you want. He will be sorely missed.”
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said she was “deeply shocked and saddened by this news”.
She added: “My heart goes out to the family of Neil Doyle. I am sure I speak for people across Merseyside when I send his loved ones, friends and colleagues our thoughts and most heartfelt sympathy.”
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “I wish to convey my condolences and prayers to the family of the officer involved and would urge anyone with information to assist the police.”
Detectives are appealing for anyone who has any information to contact them on 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Police hunt three men over PC Neil Doyle killing as force probe that he was 'recognised as an officer' before being attacked
Chief constable Sir Jon Murphy says one line of enquiry is that 'group of officers on night out were recognised before attack'
Off-duty policeman Neil Doyle, who died after a street assault in Liverpool city centre this morning, may have been recognised by his killers as a police officer.
Merseyside Police today stepped up a murder investigation after the PC, 36, was killed in the early hours of this morning.
Two other off-duty officers were also injured in the attack during a Christmas night out with their friends and other colleagues.
Police this afternoon confirmed that they were hunting three men in connection with the 'vicious' attack.
Chief constable Sir Jon Murphy told the ECHO that an officer told the force that the attackers appeared to have recognised their victims.
A spokesman confirmed that was a line of enquiry today being looked into.
He told how the three men, including newlywed PC Doyle, had left a pub in the city and were confronted on Colquitt Street.
He said: “There is no indication whatsoever they were involved in any kind of argument or altercation earlier in the evening, as far as we can establish.
They left the pub earlier than the others and there has been an altercation. The officer I have spoken to has indicated that the individuals who approached them referred to them as police officers.
“They then assaulted the officers, leaving two with nasty head injuries and resulting in the tragic death of Neil.
“We can’t confirm this certainly at this early stage but that is what it looks like.”
Police were called to the scene, near to the Aloha club, at around 3.15am after receiving reports of an assault.
Paramedics, police and doorman all tried in vain to save PC Doyle’s life.
Sir Jon said: “I want to pay tribute to the paramedics who worked so hard at the scene, along with members of the public to help the officers.
“I want to thank the on-duty officers who worked in difficult and emotional circumstances, who were able to remain calm, professional and did what they were able to do.”
The force was this afternoon holding a press conference as a manhunt for the attackers stepped up.
Eaton Road PC Doyle had married his partner of 16 years, Sarah, just five months ago and the pair were set to enjoy their honeymoon in the New Year.
The officer had also worked out of Tuebrook and Walton Lane during his 10 years’ service.
Sir Jon said: “He was a hard-working operational officer, well respected by colleagues.
“He had been a member of the force for 10 years, always working in challenging areas such as Tuebrook, Walton and Eaton Road.
“He has previously been commended for his professionalism in the arrest of three men for a violent robbery. He was an officer who did his job in a professional manner.
“On a personal level, he had only been married for five months.
“He and Sarah were due to go on honeymoon in January. He leaves behind his brother Greg and his mum Theresa.”
Tributes today began pouring in for the “hard-working bobby”, who was based out of Eaton Road police station in West Derby.
The chairman of Merseyside Police Federation, Peter Singleton, said colleagues were devastated” by the news.
He said: “He was a good, well-liked, hard-working bobby who did his best to support the community.
“He had commendations from the force for his good work.
“Sometimes it seems hollow and false to say these words but he really was a good, skilled, dependable cop, who would always do his best for the public.”
It is understood that Mr Doyle’s colleagues and nearby doormen helped efforts to give him first aid before paramedics arrived.
Mr Singleton said: “It is horrible to lose a colleague at any time but he had only been married five months and it is just coming up to Christmas.
“It is a really tough time for his family and his colleagues.”
Mr Singleton said that colleagues of Mr Doyle, a patrol officer of 10 years’ service, “were in bits”.
He added: “If you’re a sergeant, police constables like Mr Doyle are exactly what you want. He will be sorely missed.”
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said she was “deeply shocked and saddened by this news”.
She added: “My heart goes out to the family of Neil Doyle. I am sure I speak for people across Merseyside when I send his loved ones, friends and colleagues our thoughts and most heartfelt sympathy.”
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “I wish to convey my condolences and prayers to the family of the officer involved and would urge anyone with information to assist the police.”
Detectives are appealing for anyone who has any information to contact them on 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
