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Tributes paid as Manchester mourns loss

Published: Tuesday, 11 March 2008, 5:32PM

Flags are flying at half-mast over Manchester as the city mourns the loss of chief constable Michael Todd.

The body of Mr Todd, 50, was found in Snowdonia after he went missing while walking off-duty in the Welsh mountains on Monday.

A rescue operation was launched involving Llanberis Mountain Rescue, the RAF and Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue and his body was recovered at the bottom of a cliff near Bwlch Glas.

Responding to the news, colleagues and politicians paid tribute to Mr Todd's "long and distinguished career", both prior to and after his appointment as chief constable of Greater Manchester.

Leading the tributes, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Chief Constable Todd has had a long and distinguished career in various forces and has contributed greatly to the fight against crime and terrorism."

Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) president Ken Jones said: "Mike has made an enormous contribution to policing in Manchester and nationally throughout his distinguished career.

"The news of his apparent death is a tragedy. As a personal friend and valued supporter, I will miss him greatly."

Former home secretary David Blunkett said: "Michael Todd was a decent and committed policeman who did a first-class job in difficult circumstances...

"His death is a real tragedy and I personally feel very sad to hear of his loss. My thoughts are with his family at this time."

A friend of Mr Todd, Manchester Evening News editor Paul Horrocks, said he was "utterly, utterly stunned" at news of his death.

He described the policeman as "somebody that I trusted" and paid tribute to his skills.

"I regarded him as a friend, although I got to know him because he was our chief constable," Mr Horrocks said.

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