PC Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone: campaign for Elizabeth medal for 999 workers killed on duty

Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales have lent their support a campaign for emergency workers killed in the line of duty to be posthumously awarded the Elizabeth Medal.

The campaign is led by Bryn Hughes and Paul Bone, fathers of Greater Manchester officers, Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone.

The two constables were killed in an ambush by gangster Dale Cregan 10 years ago in Mottram, Tameside.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who is also the local police commissioner, is among those to have signed a letter to the new Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, asking her to consider awarding the Elizabeth Medal to emergency workers.

It says: “As you will know, last Sunday marked 10 years since PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone were murdered whilst attending an emergency call in Tameside, Greater Manchester.

“Incidents like this are thankfully rare but are devastating when they do happen. All police forces in England and Wales will have tragic instances of colleagues killed in the course of serving their communities.

“Sadly, however, no award exists for their families to recognise their sacrifice.”

What is the Elizabeth Medal?

The Elizabeth Medal is currently awarded to members of the armed forces killed in the line of duty. Those behind the campaign say extending it to emergency workers would be a way of recognising their sacrifice and honouring them, as well as being a fitting legacy to Queen Elizabeth II.

The letter adds: “We believe that a medal similar to the Elizabeth Cross would ensure that any emergency service worker who dies while carrying out their duties would be honoured and remembered appropriately with the dignity they duly deserve.”