Greater Manchester Police Hold Minute's Silence In Tribute To Killed Officers Fiona Bone And Nicola Hughes (PICTURES)

Police Hold Minute's Silence For Fallen Officers
|

Greater Manchester Police held a minute's silence on Wednesday in memory of two of their officers who were killed in a grenade and gun attack.

Pcs Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, were killed on Tuesday after they were called to investigate what appeared to be a routine burglary report. Pc Hughes's family said she had died doing "the job she loved".

Fellow officers and civilian staff at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) remembered their fallen colleagues at 11am as tributes continue to pour in for the women.

Open Image Modal

Officers hold a minute's silence near the site of the officers' deaths

Home secretary Theresa May is to meet GMP chief constable Sir Peter Fahy later on Wednesday - it is understood she has cut short her holiday in the wake of yesterday's murders.

Soon after the two policewomen died, one of the country's most wanted men, Dale Cregan, gave himself up to police.

He had been questioned and bailed in connection with the murder of Mark Short, 23, who was shot dead in a Manchester pub in May.

Open Image Modal

Police lay flowers at the scene where two female officers were killed

Short's father, David, 46, who had branded his son's killer "a coward", was murdered in a gun and grenade attack at his home in August.

Cregan was wanted for questioning over both killings.

In a statement, Pc Hughes's family said: "When she left the house this morning she was going to the job she loved.

Open Image Modal

Dozens of tributes have been left for the fallen officers

"Nicola always wanted to make a difference and, in doing so, she made such a big difference to everyone she knew. She cared about everyone and especially her colleagues.

"Nicola was only 23 years old and had the whole of her life in front of her.

"We cannot express how we feel today except to say we have always been exceedingly proud of Nicola and always will be. She knew she was loved by us all and we shall all miss her dreadfully."

Open Image Modal

The officers' commander said Tuesday was one of the force's "darkest days"

At a press conference after the deaths, Sir Peter said it was one of the "darkest days" in the history of the force.

He told reporters: "Clearly we are devastated today by the loss of two of our officers.

"This is one of the darkest days in the history of the Greater Manchester Police, if not for the police service overall, because we have lost two deeply-loved and valued colleagues, because they are part of our team. Policing is very much a family."