GWENT Police have paid a warm tribute to a “much loved” police officer who died last week.

PC Steve Jenkins died at Pill police station in Canal Terrace, off Bolt Street, Newport, despite the efforts of colleagues and ambulance crews to save him on Friday.

An air ambulance was called to the scene and Bolt Street was closed for about two hours from about 4.30pm.

His cause of death is unknown.

Gwent Police Chief Constable Julian Williams yesterday described the late PC Jenkins as a “respected” and “much loved” colleague.

He said: “On behalf of Gwent Police, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Steve’s partner Deb, his children, family and friends.

“Steve was a much loved and respected colleague as well as being a talented and dedicated officer who served with distinction. He will be sorely missed by the Gwent Police family and particularly by those who served alongside him.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to Gwent Police officers and the paramedic team who attended to Steve at the scene.”

He added: “We will provide assistance to colleagues requiring support at this difficult time.”

Tributes have also been pouring in from the wider community. Colleagues at Gwent Police paid tribute last week to PC Jenkins on social media, with Chief Inspector for Newport and Monmouthshire Mike Richards saying: “A terrible day for the service. Steve was everything we would want in a police officer: RIP 359.”

The police and crime commissioner Jeff Cuthbert said: “It was with great sadness I received the news of the passing of police constable Steve Jenkins last week.

"On behalf of everyone from the office of the police and crime commissioner for Gwent, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

"Our hearts go out to them all.”

Councillor Ibrahim Hayat, who represents the Pill ward on Newport City Council, called PC Jenkins “a very committed officer”.

“He was hard-working and dedicated,” Cllr Hayat said.

“He was liked and respected by everybody in the community and he was someone we could rely on to be there when we needed him.”

Councillor Tracey Holyoake added: “We are behind the community and the police in days and months to come as they struggle to come terms with this.”

A minute’s silence was also held at a charity football event in Pill run by Gwent Police last Friday.