Emergency workers: Cameron thanks those who were first to respond

Two of the armed officers, who were among the first to arrive in Whitehaven after Darren Rewcastle was shot dead, told the Prime

Minister how they had tried to follow Bird as he sped across the Cumbria countryside, shooting people at random.

One said: "It was so fast. It was unbelievable. We were no more than 36 minutes behind him.

"We kept coming across where he had been. There were just too many

roads and too many options to go down."

The Prime Minister also spoke to civilian staff who work in the police's communications control room, answering calls from members of the public.

He told them: "I just wanted to come and thank you for what you did. It is something we cannot explain."

Before leaving the police station, Mr Cameron praised the emergency services and the police for all they did.

"As people's sadness and mourning will give way to a sense of numbness, then there will be lots of questions that people want to ask," he said.

"We have to make sure that we find the right way to answer those questions and helping this community through what is to be a very, very difficult time."

Mr Cameron was asked whether tightening gun laws had become more urgent.

"I think the Government must look at all of the issues and, of course, gun issues is something that has to be looked at," he said.

"We do have very tough gun control in this country and I think what we need to do is take the time to allow people through that phase of mourning and realising and understanding, the incredible sense of loss that people have in Cumbria, not leaping to conclusions.

"But yes, lots of questions that we will have to ask and we have to make sure that we answer those questions and do everything we can to help them through that process."

The Prime Minister and Home Secretary also made a private visit to West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, where five victims were still being treated

All five were described yesterday as being "comfortable". Two others were being treated in Newcastle.

Many of Bird's 11 surviving victims suffered terrible facial injuries as he appeared deliberately to aim for their heads.