HOME Secretary Theresa May has led tributes to police officer, Ian Dibell, who was shot dead in Clacton yesterday.

It is understood PC Dibell intervened when suspected gunman, Peter Reeve, was shooting at another man in the Redbridge Road area of Clacton-on-Sea when he was shot.

Police are still searching for the suspect and have vowed to “not stop” until he has been found.

Today, tributes have been paid to PC Dibell.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: “I have spoken to Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle to offer my sincere regret that an Essex Police officer has been fatally shot.

“Our police officers keep us safe day in and day out and sadly PC Ian Dibell has paid the ultimate price.

“I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the officer’s family and to his colleagues in Essex Police at this difficult time.”

The former head of Essex Police’s firearms unit, Mick Thwaites, also paid tribute to Pc Dibell.

He added: “It took huge courage and bravery. He responded to a call from the public with no consideration for his own life.

“He stepped in there to help someone in need and tragically, as a consequence of that, he lost his own life.”

Mr Thwaites, who retired in 2009 after 35 years in the force, said the police would be using negotiators, dogs and officers armed with Tasers to trace Reeve.

“The way (Mr Reeve) he has reacted to that situation by shooting two people - there are concerns as to his mental state and that will make it more difficult to find him.”