David Cameron in tribute to gutsy Pc's 'ultimate sacrifice'

Pc Gary Toms, 37, was thrown out of an armed response car and smashed his head on a kerb during a high-speed pursuit in east London in April last year. He died six days later.

Unveiling a memorial in Ashlin Road, Leyton, where Pc Toms was fatally injured, the Prime Minister said: "I know there are many of his colleagues here from the firearms unit who deal with dangerous situations day in, day out. But for the rest of us, I think it is really important to properly reflect on what he did.

"Pursuing dangerous criminals with speed, not knowing how they were armed, not knowing what might happen. Doing a job like that takes unbelievable guts, it takes dedication and real courage.

"Gary Toms had those qualities in abundance. And the tributes about him speak volumes. Good humoured, hard working, always the professional, dedicated to his job, much loved by his family and much missed by his colleagues."

Pc Toms and his fellow CO19 officers were chasing a car after armed thugs attacked and robbed a man. At a trial at Snaresbrook crown court in December, the jury was told officers were pursuing Temitope Iyiola, 20, who raced at more than 70mph through Stratford. The car stopped only when it crashed into a squad car, injuring other officers.

Iyiola, of Upton Park, was jailed for 10 years after admitting dangerous driving and obtaining the car fraudulently, and being convicted of robbery with two other people.

Pc Toms' widow Clair said her husband would "be deeply missed by us all, but never forgotten".