PC blinded by Moat speaks out

The Northumbria Police officer blinded by gunman Raoul Moat says it is time for the public to "step up to the plate" to support emergency services personnel injured in the line of duty.

PC David Rathband, who is raising funds for the Blue Lamp Foundation, has organised a sponsored blindfold walk on 3 October.

He said: "Early on there was a class of people who were hailing Raoul Moat as a legend or some sort of hero, and I never commented on it.

"But it is not right what happened to me, and it is not right for any person to suffer a criminal injury at work."