Remembering PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes eight years after their tragic deaths

Today, Friday September 18th, marks eight years since PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes were tragically murdered while doing their jobs.

The two GMP Police Constables were killed while serving and protecting the public, as they responded to a hoax call in Mottram in Longdendale, Greater Manchester.

At around 11am on that tragic day, the two officers attended an address after receiving a false report that a concrete slab had been thrown through a window.

PC Bone, 32, and PC Hughes, 23, were then ambushed by Dale Cregan, who fired off 32 shots from a Glock pistol in just 31 seconds, before throwing a hand grenade.

PC Bone was pronounced dead at the scene, while PC Hughes died later on, after reaching the hospital.

Their tragic deaths were met with anger and shock, and the next day a moments silence was held by Greater Manchester Police at 11am in remembrance. The Union Flag was lowered to half-mast at GMP’s headquarters as a mark of respect.

Their funerals were held over October 3rd and 4th at Manchester Cathedral, and large parts of the city centre came to a standstill as huge crowds attended to pay their respects to the brave officers.

On June 13th 2013, Cregan was sentenced to whole life imprisonment at Preston Crown Court following his trial – meaning he’ll be locked up until he dies.

On the eighth anniversary, Hyde and Hattersley GMP took to Twitter to pay their respects to the fallen officers.

They wrote: “Today marks the 8th anniversary of the tragic loss of PC’s Nicola and Fiona. A private service will be held with close family, and Chief Supt Allsop.

“The family have given permission for this to be live streamed here at 10.50 for those wishing to pay their respects.”

RIP to Fiona and Nicola, gone but never forgotten x