Two women police officers shot dead in Manchester

Two women police officers have been shot dead in Manchester. The women PCs were attending what they thought was a routine burglary in Mottram. The officers have been named as PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone.

They were not to know that they were coming into contact with wanted criminal Dale Cregan. Cregan was wanted for questioning over gun and grenade attacks in Manchester. When confronted by the police officers it is alleged that Cregan fired a number of shots killing both officers. A grenade was also detonated.

Cregan is reported to have given himself up to police at a police station in the city where he was arrested on suspician of the two murders. Colleagues in the Greater Manchester Police are said to be devastated by the killings.

Sir Peter Fahy, the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police revealed at a press conference that it is believed that Cregan rang the police to report a burglary in order to lure the officers to where he would make his fatal attack. He said: "We believe either he has made the call or he has got someone else to make the call for the purpose of drawing these two officers to the scene. It would appear that he has deliberately done this in an act of cold blooded murder."

Prime Minister David Cameron said of the murders that they were: "a shocking reminder of the debt we owe to those who put themselves in danger to keep us safe and secure. I want to offer my thoughts, along with those of the whole country, to the families, friends and colleagues at this difficult time."

UK Home Secretary, Theresa May, has also released a statement saying: "This is a deeply shocking incident and a terrible reminder of the risks that police officers face every day to keep our communities safe."