39 year old Guardia Civil officer, Juan Manuel MR, was killed last night during an exchange of fire with a pair of jewellery shop burglars, one of whom was also shot.

The incident occurred at around 9.45pm in the centre of Salou after a team of officers had gone to investigate a break-in at the shop shown in the photo following a call from a member of the public.

The officer, who was married with two children, died almost immediately after being hit in the chest at close range.

The injured burglar was taken to Tarragona's Juan XXIII Hospital once his condition had been stabilised while his partner in crime was taken into custody.