Murder inquiry after Pc's death

Pc Joe Carroll received a long service medal in 2005

A man is being held on suspicion of murdering a police officer who crashed as he drove to a police station.

Pc Joe Carroll, 46, and a colleague were escorting a man they had arrested on Thursday morning when the car left the A69 near Corbridge, Northumberland.

The marked police car overturned and Pc Carroll died at the scene.

Northumbria Chief Constable Mike Craik paid tribute to Pc Carroll who he said was "the sort of bobby you would all want to have as your local copper".

The 40-year-old suspect, who was under arrest for an unrelated matter when the incident happened, was then re-arrested on suspicion of murder.

The other officer in the car was treated in hospital for minor injuries.

Pc Carroll had been a police officer for nearly 25 years and a community officer in Bellingham for the past 13 years.

The car left the A69 near Corbridge, Northumberland

Mr Craik said: "Pc Carroll was greatly loved and respected within the community and lived there for more than 20 years.

"He knew everyone and everyone knew him - he was a real old fashioned copper.

"He was also a warm, genuine man, as motivated and committed to the job he was doing in his community as the day he joined us more than 20 years ago.

"He will be greatly missed by all of us and especially his local community who knew and loved him well - it will be a terrible, terrible shock for his local community and colleagues to bear."

Mr Craik said he had visited Mr Carroll's wife, family and colleagues and promised his support during what he said were the "difficult times ahead".

Home Secretary Charles Clarke also expressed his sadness at Mr Carroll's death.

He said: "I pay tribute to the continued dedication of our police in their work to uphold the law and protect the public in often very challenging circumstances."