Thousands of police line the streets of London to pay respects to hero PC killed in Westminster terror attack as Twitter explodes with #StandForKeith tribute

In stirring scenes, more than 5,000 rank-and-file officers from every force in Britain lined the two-mile cortege route from the Palace of Westminster to Southwark Cathedral, where the constable's funeral is taking place. They were joined by an estimated 50,000 members of the public, as well as around 50 members of the PC's family, who gathered in sombre silence to pay their respects to the fallen officer (inset right). The 48-year-old, a loyal Charlton Athletic fan, was murdered by Khalid Masood last month as he carried out his duties on the cobbled forecourt of the Palace of Westminster. Minutes earlier, the knife-wielding terrorist had mown down scores of innocent pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in an 82-second rampage. This morning, in an unprecedented gathering of police colleagues, columns of uniformed officers were seen getting off coaches in Southwark - many with service medals pinned to their jackets and wearing white gloves - before marching towards the cathedral (left and bottom right). Hours later, the hearse was carried from Westminster (top right) by PC Palmer's closest colleagues. As crowds gathered in central London, tributes poured in for the father-of-one, with police officers and politicians using the Twitter hashtag #StandforKeith to pay their respects. One officer was seen wiping his eye as he stood guard outside Westminster (inset left), where PC Palmer was killed.