Peers' tributes to PC Rathband

Peers have paid tribute to PC David Rathband, the police officer shot and blinded by gunman Raoul Moat, who has been found dead at his home.

The body of Mr Rathband, 44, was found by police at his home in Blyth on 1 March 2012 after officers received a report of concern for his welfare.

Police said no-one else was being sought in connection with the death.

In the Lords, Labour peer Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, a former chief superintendent of Durham Constabulary, said PC Rathband had paid "the ultimate penalty" for preventing crime.

Justice Minister Lord McNally added that his death was an "immense tragedy" and "reminds us the risk that everybody that dons a police uniform in our service takes".

"I think I probably experience the same feeling as every member of this House and indeed every member of the public when I heard the news this morning about PC Rathband's death," he said.

PC Rathband was shot by Moat as he sat in his patrol car in Newcastle, on July 2010.

It came a day after the gunman had shot two other people, one fatally.

The tributes were made during the morning question session, after Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Bonham-Carter raised the subject of reducing reoffending.

Lord McNally told peers the government was committed to "breaking the cycle" of crime and reducing reoffending, and was looking at measures to achieve this.

Minister had set out proposals in the sentencing and rehabilitation green paper, Breaking the Cycle, to achieve this, he added.