PC Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone: murdered GMP officers to be remembered 10 years on at memorial event

Colleagues of murdered Greater Manchester police officers PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone will gather to mark the 10th anniversary of their death on Sunday (18 September).

The officers were ambushed by gangster Dale Cregan when they were called to investigate a report of a burglarly in Hattersley, Mottram in 2012.

Tragically they did not know it was a set up. One-eyed Cregan, a fugitive who was wanted for the murder of Mark and David Short, launched an attack, firing multiple shots and unleashing a hand grenade at the officers, who both died from their injuries.

Cregan was locked up for life for the four murders in June 2013.

With this Sunday marking a decade since their deaths, a service will be held at the Nicola and Fiona memorial garden at Hyde Police Station that day.

Family and friends, officers, colleagues, MPs representatives from Tameside Council and members of the local community will pay their respects to the officers.

There will be a minute’s silence at 10.53am, the time the officers were attacked, and then wreaths will be placed by the families and GMP’s Tameside District Commander, Chief Superintendent Phil Davies on behalf of GMP. Commemorations have been held for the anniversary each year.

Chief Superintendent Davies, said: “Although 10 years has past, the emotion and grief is still felt on anniversaries such as this and reminds us of the dangerous situations officers face on a daily basis.

“On Sunday, we will come together with Nicola and Fiona’s families and honoured guests, to reflect on the passing of a decade since they made the ultimate sacrifice for the oath they took as police officers.

“Nicola and Fiona’s essence and presence remain with us and is tangibly felt by those who knew and worked with them, but also their colleagues who have joined the GMP family after their passing.”

The memorial service is open to the public who are invited to attend from 10.40am on Sunday.