Two arrests after police officer is killed in crash involving stolen vehicle

Two men have been arrested after a policewoman was killed in a crash involving a stolen car in Londonderry.

PSNI Constable Philippa Reynolds, 27, died in the collision on the Limavady Road at 03:40 GMT on Saturday.

Constable Reynolds was on a routine patrol in an unmarked police car. It is believed a stolen 4X4 vehicle drove through a red light before hitting the police car.

Her commanding officer Stephen Cargin said her colleagues were "devastated".

Constable Reynolds, from the greater Belfast area, was a back seat passenger in the police car.

Two other officers were also hurt in the incident but were not seriously injured.

Constable Reynolds was a former teacher who had joined the PSNI two years ago.

Police investigating the crash arrested two men, aged 23 and 25, in the Derry area at about lunchtime on Saturday.

The Police Ombudsman has been informed of the incident.

The PSNI Chief Constable, Matt Baggott, paid tribute to the officer and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

"It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of our colleague. This is a personal tragedy for her family and also for the whole Police Service," he said in a statement.

Mr Baggott added: "I and my colleagues will ensure that no stone remains unturned as we work to bring to justice those who perpetrated this crime"."She was out on duty, working to keep people safe, when she died. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time."

PSNI district commander Stephen Cargin said Constable Reynolds was "in the prime of her life, beautiful, friendly".

"(She was) one of the most enthusiastic officers, just a really bubbly personality, somebody who wanted to be a police officer," he said.

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Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers said it was a "tragic waste of a young life in sad and reckless circumstances".

Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers also expressed sympathy.

In a statement, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness said: "Officers in the PSNI put their lives at risk on a daily basis to serve and protect our community and we are all truly grateful for their dedicated service.

"Those who commit a crime such as vehicle theft must realise their actions can have serious consequences."

Justice Minister David Ford said his thoughts and prayers were with the woman's family.

"I also send my best wishes to the two officers injured in this incident for a speedy and full recovery," he said.

"It is hard to imagine how they, and indeed the wider PSNI family, are feeling."

Chairman of Northern Ireland's Policing Board, Brian Rea, said he was shocked by the incident.

SDLP MP Mark Durkan said the policewoman had been "tragically killed in the line of duty whilst doing her job to protect the community"."To lose a colleague, out on patrol protecting the community, is a terrible blow to the PSNI," he said.