Officers hold a minute's silence for two colleagues gunned down in 'despicable act of evil' as family of policewoman, 23, pay tribute to their 'beautiful child who was always happy'

• Family of shot Pc Nicola Hughes, 23, say she died doing job she loved
• She died with her Greater Manchester Police colleague Pc Fiona Bone
• Officers were attacked with a grenade while attending report of a burglary
• Dale Cregan, 29, walked into a police station afterwards and was arrested
• PM Cameron: Killings are 'shocking reminder of the debt we owe to police'
• Guard of honour formed as Pc Bone's body left scene in ambulance
• Home Secretary Theresa May cuts short holiday to meet police chiefs
• Force refuses to comment on report that Pc Bone had been carrying Taser
• Thousands of messages of condolence left for officers

A police force held a minute's silence today for two of its officers who were killed in a hail of bullets as they attended a report of a suspected burglary.
Officers and civilian staff at Greater Manchester Police fell silent at 11am in tribute to Pc Fiona Bone, 32, and Pc Nicola Hughes, 23, who were killed in a gun and grenade attack in Hattersley, Tameside, on Tuesday.
The mark of respect came after Pc Hughes's parents released a tribute to their only daughter, saying that she died doing the job she loved.

Greater Manchester Police officers observe a minute's silence near to the scene where Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester

Tragic: Police officers Pc Fiona Bone (left), 32, and Pc NIcola Hughes (right), 23, were shot dead on a routine call

Police officers stand by floral tributes to their colleagues Pc Fiona Bone and Pc Nicola Hughes as they observe a minute's silence

The minute's silence was observed by officers standing behind a police cordon, which was put up to protect any evidence at the scene of the killings

The force today refused to comment on a witness report that Pc Bone was carrying a Taser at the time the officers were killed.
Pc Hughes is survived by her mother Susan, with whom she lived in Oldham, her father Bryn and her younger brother Sam.
In a statement, they said: 'Nicola was our only daughter and a beautiful child. She was always happy with life and lived for her family.

Suspect: Police released this photo of Dale Cregan who was wanted in connection with the killings of a father and son

'She had an infectious personality and sense of humour and was a very caring and loving girl.'
The family said she had been 'going to the job she loved' when she left the house for work on the morning she was killed.
'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.'
The two policewomen were gunned down in an incident which has been described as an act of ‘despicable evil’.
The story of the break-in was apparently a fabrication and lying in wait was a killer.
He cut the constables down in a hail of bullets before tossing a grenade at them.
Miss Bone, who had been planning to take part in a civil ceremony with her female partner, died at the scene.
Rookie Miss Hughes died a short time later from catastrophic injuries.

Respect: Two police officers lay flowers near the spot where Pc Nicola Hughes and Pc Fiona Bone were attacked

'We just can not believe you are gone': A floral tribute addressed to 'Nicky and Fi' is left at the scene where the two police officers were killed

A policeman looks at the floral tributes left by colleagues of the two killed officers

The policeman lays a tribute of his own as messages of condolence continue to flood in

Greater Manchester Police said it had received thousands of messages of condolences for the two officers

A woman and a young child arrive at the scene to leave flowers for Pc Nicola Hughes and Pc Fiona Bone

The woman and child are among thousands of people who have paid tribute to the two officers

They are the first woman police officers to be killed together on duty.
Shortly after the shootings, Dale Cregan – wanted over a double killing – went to a police station and was arrested on suspicion of murder.
A unnamed witness claimed today that Pc Bone had been carrying a Taser at the time of the incident, but Greater Manchester Police would not comment on the report.
The witness told ITV News: 'She had a Taser in her hand and she was laying by the window of the house.'
A steady stream of people arrived at the scene in Abbey Gardens, Hattersley, today to lay flowers for the fallen police officers.
Among the tributes was a large blue and white bouquet of carnations, bluebells and lilies from Manchester City Football Club.
The card read: 'MCFC offer their condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Pc Fiona Bone and Pc Nicola Hughes.'
At 11am, police activity came to a halt as the minute's silence was observed by officers, the forensics team and the media gathered around the cordon.
Some officers bowed their heads while others remained bolt upright in sombre thought.
Greater Manchester's Chief Constable, Sir Peter Fahy, could not contain his fury about the loss of two of his officers.

A police officer carries flowers close to the scene where the two female policewomen officers were killed in Hattersley, near Manchester

The officer pays respect to his killed colleagues as he places his floral tribute alongside others

Flowers from members of Cheshire Police were among the tributes left to Pc Bone and Pc Hughes

‘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,’ he said at a sombre press conference.
‘It would appear the killer has deliberately done this in an act of cold-blooded murder.’
Home Secretary Theresa May is on her way to Manchester to meet Sir Peter later today, the Home Office said.
It is understood she has cut short her holiday in the wake of the killings.
Ian Hanson of the city’s Police Federation called the deaths ‘the slaughter of the innocents’.
And David Cameron said the killings were ‘a shocking reminder of the debt we owe to those who put themselves in danger to keep us safe and secure – what we have seen is the absolutely despicable act of pure evil’.

Reverend Lesley Harding and Reverend James Halstead conducted a service of remembrance at St Barnabas Church, Hattersley (left), during which candles were lit (right) for the two police officers

Candles lit for Nicola Hughes (left) and Fiona Bone (right) stand side by side in the church during the service of remembrance

'BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS': TRIBUTES TO FIONA BONE AND NICOLA HUGHES

Tributes have been paid to the two ‘brave and courageous’ policewomen.

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Sir Peter Fahy said the force was in mourning and officers were ‘devastated’ by what had happened.

Fiona Bone, 32, pictured above left, who had served with the police for five years, was ‘so happy’ with her partner and had been planning for upcoming her civil partnership.

Sir Peter said: ‘When she first joined the shift she was quite quiet and reserved. However she came out of her shell and had a great sense of humour, always enjoying a good laugh.

‘She was so happy with her partner and they were in the middle of planning their wedding. Indeed her partner only spoke to her this morning about the wedding invites and fellow officers gave her advice about how to make them on the computer.

‘Her fellow officers said that they always loved being partnered off with her as she was always calm, collected and professional, and could defuse situations with her calm, gentle way. She was an excellent bobby, and cared about her job, and the community she served.’

Nicola Hughes, 23, pictured above right, who had served for three years and lived in the Oldham area with her mother, was described as a ‘bubbly’ woman who ‘loved socialising’ and enjoyed karate. The chief constable said: ‘She was a chatterbox and was always smiling, even after a night shift when everyone else was a bit grumpy. She was a good listener and could not do enough for people. She was a lovely friend, and a great bobby.’

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said 2,600 messages of condolence had already been left for the officers.

Sir Peter Fahy said that the messages would be passed on to the officers' families, and that the outpouring of support 'would mean a huge amount' to them.

In a video message posted online, he said: 'Since the awful deaths of our two police officers Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, we've received thousands of messages of support and condolence from the public and a huge number of hits on the Facebook site.

'We would like to say a huge thank you to the public for this great show of support. I cannot tell you how much it means to us at this most difficult time.

'We will be drawing together all these messages and passing them to the families of our two sorely missed colleagues.

'I know that this great public support will mean a huge amount to them and will be a great comfort. Thank you.'

Condolences have been left by fellow officers from forces across the UK.

Mike Downey, from GMP, wrote: 'God bless to brave colleagues. My thoughts are with you and your family. Rest in peace.'

Nick Addis, from West Midlands Police, wrote: 'Absolute tragedy. Thoughts are with the families. RIP both of you. No force boundaries today, one united family'.

Detective Constable Jeff Wheble, from Thames Valley Police, said:'"Our thoughts are with you all in GMP and with the families and friends of Fiona and Nicola.

'Two bobbies just doing their job have made the ultimate sacrifice, but your police brothers & sisters will never forget you. Rest in peace girls. From all of us on the CAIU team at Cowley, TVP.'

Other messages came from people in forces including Lancashire, Metropolitan, Fife, West Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Northumbria, Merseyside, and Dyfed-Powys.

Tom McGhie, former chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, wrote: 'My experiences when I was the chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation at the time that Ian Broadhurst and Sharon Beshenivksy were murdered will live with me for ever.

'Their sacrifice and those of your colleagues murdered today will never be forgotten. My thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to all those affected by this senseless tragedy.'

Tributes were also left by people in Manchester. Peter Read wrote: 'So shocked that this has happened in our city. Sincere condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of these two dedicated protectors of the public. RIP.'

Kate Leech wrote: 'RIP girls thank you for protecting Manchester.'

 

Last night, details emerged about 29-year-old Cregan’s background and the countdown to yesterday’s horror.

• Cregan had previously been arrested on suspicion of murdering a gangland rival in May
• He was released on police bail pending further inquiries regarding the death of Mark Short
• While on the run last month he allegedly murdered the dead man’s father David
• Police spent £150,000 a day trying to solve the case
• Local residents had recently seen Cregan drinking in pubs
• Vile tweets praising the police murders have been posted

Grief: Officers bow their heads as the body of a female police officer leaves the scene in Hattersley, Tameside

Sorrow: Police line up and show their respect for their fallen colleague

Forensic officers remained at the scene on Wednesday as the police investigation into the killings continued

Forensic officers search the scene for clues as part of the investigation into the killings

Check: Bomb squad officer inspects BMW with a smashed rear that Dale Cregan is believed to have arrived in at Hyde police station

Investigation: Police remove a large blue bag of evidence from the scene in Hattersley

Probe: Forensic officers in white overalls make their way towards the scene where the officers were shot

Aftermath: A bomb squad officer patrols the area (left) and flowers are left at the crime scene (right)

Last night colleagues issued statements, paying tribute to the fallen officers.
Miss Bone’s colleagues said she ‘had a great sense of humour, always enjoying a good laugh’.
‘She was an excellent bobby and cared about her job and the community she served,’ they added.

Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes were killed while attending an incident in Hattersley, Greater Manchester

Miss Hughes’s colleagues called her ‘a chatterbox’ who always smiling, even after a night shift when everyone else was a bit grumpy.
'She was a good listener and couldn’t do enough for people, she was a lovely friend and a great bobby.'
The double tragedy unfolded after police received a phone call at 10am saying a burglary had taken place at an address in Abbey Gardens in Hattersley.
Miss Bone, an officer with five years of service, and her less experienced colleague Miss Hughes, drove to the 1960s semi-detached property. Once they arrived at around 11am they got out of the patrol car and began to make their way to the house where they were ambushed.

Tears: Poilce officers gather at the scene where the two policewomen were killed in Hattersley

Tribute: Flowers were brought by the public to the scene of the shooting in Hattersley, Greater Manchester

Aftermath: A bomb disposal team prepares to carry out a controlled explosion with a remote-controlled robot

But such was the ferocity of the attack, the two officers, who were wearing standard issue body armour, stood no chance.

'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'

Sir Peter Fahy, GMP chief constable

Sir Peter said the killer emerged from inside or near the property armed with a gun and a grenade.
The killer is thought to have shot Miss Bone in the head at point blank range before spraying bullets at her colleague, who fell to the ground.
The gunman then threw a grenade which exploded sending shrapnel flying across the front of the house.

Respectful: Flags are lowered at the Greater Manchester Police headquarters following the killings

Sad day: Greater Manchester Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy takes questions at a press conference

Meticulous: Police carry out a fingertip search at the cordon near where the two female officers were shot dead

Moments later he was seen calmly walking down the street, carrying a rucksack.

'I just heard gunshots, bang, bang, bang - around ten of them, then a pause and a big explosion'

Warren Shepherd, window cleaner

The suspect is then believed to have jumped into a BMW, which was waiting nearby, and whisked off by a female driver.
Panicked residents immediately called emergency services and paramedics battled to save Miss Hughes, who had suffered catastrophic injuries.
They could be seen given heart compression as she lay on the ground before she was rushed to Tameside Hospital where doctors fought to stabilise her.

Joining forces: Police liaise with a member of a bomb squad at the scene. It is understood that a grenade may have been used during the incident in which the two officers were killed

Devastating: An emergency services worker bows his head (left) as he arrives on the estate with colleagues

But her injuries were so bad she was pronounced dead a short time later.
Warren Shepherd, who was on his window cleaner rounds in Hattersley, said: ‘I just heard gun shots, bang, bang, bang – around ten of them, then a pause and a big explosion.
‘I went around the back of the houses to see what happened and there was a police car that looked empty.
‘There was people, neighbours stood around there and one of my customers said, ‘They’ve been shot! The police officers have been shot!’

Shut off: An armoured vehicle blocks the road as the investigation into the shootings gets under way

Separate incidents: Cregan was wanted over the deaths of David Short (left) and his son Mark (right)

Sir Peter Fahy said it was routine to send unarmed officers to a burglary call.
‘We believe the suspect was in a house in Abbey Gardens overnight, and at some point this morning has either himself made a call or had somebody else make a call reporting a burglary,’ Sir Peter said.
‘This particular address was not known to us. So as would be routine, two unarmed officers were sent to the scene.

‘When they arrived, it appears that the suspect emerged into the road and killed these two officers. A firearm was used, a grenade was also used.. These were two officers going about their normal duty. Like all officers they went to a variety of incidents not knowing what it was they would face.’

Sir Peter said he believed the suspect had been 'protected by a criminal conspiracy to harbour him', adding that the force was 'fully determined' to investigate that conspiracy and bring those involved 'to book'.
Two people from the house in Hattersley, a man and a woman, were helping police with inquiries.
The outrage prompted renewed calls for the routine arming of police.
But Sir Peter said his force believed 'passionately' that police should remain unarmed, despite the tragedy.
His view was shared by Prime Minister David Cameron, who said: 'There are more armed police officers, there are more armed response units. But this was supposed to be the response to a domestic burglary and that wouldn't normally require armed officers.'
He added: 'What we have seen is the absolutely despicable act of pure evil.
'The cold blooded murder of two female police officers doing their job out there protecting the public - another reminder of the incredible risks and great work our police service does.
'My thoughts and I think the thoughts of the whole country will be with their families at this impossibly difficult time.'
Cregan had been the subject of a huge manhunt after the murders of David Short, 46, and his son Mark, 23. A £50,000 reward had been offered for information about the case.
David Short was killed at his home in Clayton, Manchester, on August 10, while his son Mark was gunned down at the Cotton Tree pub in nearby Droylsden, on May 25.
Last night a cordon was in place on Clarendon Road around Hyde Police Station, two miles from Hattersley, where Cregan handed himself in to police.
A controlled explosion is believed to have been carried out on a car parked outside the police station according to locals, who reported hearing a loud bang and spotted a plume of smoke.

'IT BROUGHT IT ALL BACK IN A SECOND': WIDOWER WHO LOST HIS OFFICER WIFE IN 2005 BRADFORD SHOOTING CALLS FOR POLICE TO BE ARMED

The husband of the most recent policewoman to die on duty in Britain said last night that the latest tragedy ‘sent a horrible shiver down my back’.
Paul Beshenivsky lost his 38-year-old wife Sharon when she was shot by robbers outside a Bradford travel agent in 2005. He said yesterday’s news from Greater Manchester ‘brought it all back in one split second’.

Famous case: The shootings have similarities with the killing of West Yorkshire Pc Sharon Beshenivsky, who was shot dead on duty in November 2005

He added: ‘I know what the poor families of those two officers are going through tonight and it is sheer hell. Everything will be going on around them and they simply won’t feel like it’s real. I feel so utterly sad for them, it is just horrific.
‘I’m hoping that they get all the help I got, from the police and their extended families, because it is such a terrible, grim time.
'I think policing, as regarding going to scenes of crimes, should be monitored better, and I think police, in honesty, should be armed, walking into situations that they’re not totally aware of. You can’t have armed response at every situation, but I think, as an officer being armed, walk into a situation, feeling more comfortable, walking into that situation, thinking, "I could respond to that situation".'
The National Police Memorial Roll of Honour includes more than 1,600 officers killed by criminal acts since 1680. They include at least ten women. But until yesterday, two had never died at once.
The tragedy came with police already preparing to remember lost colleagues at the National Police Memorial Service at York Minster in two weeks.
Organisers said the service, due to be attended by more than 2,000 people, will be tailored to mark yesterday’s events.
There are 36,617 policewomen in England and Wales, according to the latest Home Office figures.
These make up just over a quarter of the total of 134,101 officers. The proportion of women officers has steadily increased from 15 per cent in 1997.
Those killed in the line of duty include PC Yvonne Fletcher, whose killer may yet be brought to justice after the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi. She was shot outside the Libyan embassy in London in April 1984.
Others include Nina Mackay, 25, who was stabbed to death in 1997 as she arrested a schizophrenic in Stratford, East London.
PC Jane Arbuthnot, 22, was killed in the Harrods terrorist attack in 1983 when an IRA car bomb exploded outside the London store. Two other officers also died.

CHRIS GREENWOOD

Investigation: Police at the scene in Clayton, Manchester, where David Short was killed in August - three months after the death of his son

HARRY ROBERTS, 1960s POLICE KILLER WHO SHOT DEAD THREE OFFICERS, AND THE BRAVE VICTIMS WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

Hundreds of police officers have died in the line of duty but yesterday is believed to be the first time that two policewomen have been killed by a criminal.
A National Police Memorial Roll of Honour lists all the officers who have been killed by criminal acts in the line of duty since 1680, showing multiple deaths of police officers in the line of duty are rare.
Other high-profile multiple killings include the murders of three unarmed Metropolitan Police officers in Shepherd's Bush by Harry Roberts, pictured right, who was jailed for 30 years in the 1960s.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Head, 30, Detective Constable David Wombwell, 25, and Pc Geoffrey Fox, 41, were shot dead while questioning three suspects in a van on August 12, 1966.

The memorial roll records more than 1,600 officers who have lost their lives while performing vital tasks such as foiling terrorists, quelling rioters and marshaling protests.

In recent years these have included Pc Gary Toms, 37, who was critically injured confronting suspects in a dead end road in Leyton, east London, on April 11, 2009.

He died six days later when his life support machine was switched off - 25 years to the day Pc Yvonne Fletcher was shot dead outside the Libyan Embassy in London while controlling demonstrators.
Among the other officers on the list is Pc Ricky Grey, who was shot in the head by a gunman who then turned the weapon on himself in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, and Pc Sharon Beshenivsky, who was shot dead when she and a colleague tried to stop armed robbers in Bradford in November 2005.

Another name on the roll is that of Pc Keith Blakelock, a 40-year-old father of three, who was set upon by a mob and hacked to death with a machete during the Broadwater Farm riots in 1985.

Pc Ian Broadhurst, 34, of West Yorkshire Police, was murdered by David Bieber, 38, on Boxing Day 2003. Bieber also shot two colleagues, after he was pulled over in Leeds. He was jailed for life.
Det Con Michael Swindells, 44, died after he was knifed in the stomach as he and colleagues conducted a search in Birmingham in May 2004.

Operation: A police officer seals off the scene in Greater Manchester, where the shootings happened

Det Con Stephen Oake died during a police raid on a flat in Crumpsall, Manchester, in January 2003, after Kamel Bourgass launched a frenzied knife attack on the officer as he tried to escape.
DC Oake's bravery not only saved the lives of several of his colleagues but potentially hundreds of people, who Bourgass was plotting to kill with the deadly poison ricin.

Det Con Stephen Oake died during a police raid on a flat in January 2003, after Kamel Bourgass launched a frenzied knife attack. DC Oake's bravery not only saved the lives of several of his colleagues but potentially hundreds of people, who Bourgass was plotting to kill with the deadly poison ricin

Pc Alison Armitage, 29, was run down by a stolen car in March 2001. She died in an undercover operation in Hollinwood, Greater Manchester. She was run over twice by a driver in a stolen vehicle.

In October 1997 Pc Nina Mackay was stabbed to death in a in Stratford, east London, by paranoid schizophrenic Magdi Elgizouli, 32. She used a hydraulic ram to batter down the door of his flat.

Pc Mackay had removed her body armour because it was difficult to use the ram while wearing the protective equipment. Elgizouli was detained indefinitely after being found guilty of manslaughter.

Police officers also find themselves in danger when they are off duty. Father Pc Ian Dibell, 41, was off work with a hand injury when he was killed near his home in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in July.

He had gone to help a member of the public who had been injured in a gun attack, and was shot.

Another officer who died this year was Pc David Rathband, who was shot and blinded by gunman Raoul Moat as he sat in his patrol car in July 2010. He was found dead at his home earlier this year.

• You can leave a message of condolence to Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes by going to a specially-created section of the Greater Manchester Police website. Click here.
• The force has requested that flowers are sent to the Tameside Divisional Headquarters at Ashton police station, Manchester Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 OBQ