Young police cops killed in attack ~ Bukhari Webs

Article Source:- www.thesun.co.uk

TRIBUTES have poured in for the two women police officers murdered in Manchester yesterday.

PC Fiona Bone, 32, and PC Nicola Hughes, 23, were killed in a shocking gun and grenade attack after being lured into a lethal trap.

A minute's silence was held in honour of the two women at Greater Manchester Police HQ at 11am this morning.

The family of Nicola Hughes said that the brave copper "died doing the job she loved".

In a statement, her mother Susan, father Bryn and younger brother Sam, said: “Nicola was our only daughter and a beautiful child. She was always happy with life and lived for her family.

“She had an infectious personality and sense of humour and was a very caring and loving girl. When she left the house this morning she was going to the job she loved.

“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."

PC Bone was described as a “calm, gentle woman” and an “excellent bobby” and had been in the middle of planning a civil ceremony for her same-sex partnership.

Her father last night called for the death penalty for her killer, saying: "He deserves to be hung."

Paul Bone, 64, broke down in tears and slammed the killer, saying: "He deserves to be hung but I know we will never get that."

The former RAF ground crew member continued: "Anyone who kills an officer should be hung."

The emotional outburst came as it emerged that the fugitive being quizzed over the murders was released on bail three months ago following a pub murder questioning.

Manchester United will wear black arm bands during their Champions League match against Galatasaray at Old Trafford tonight.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: “We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two young policewomen protecting our community.

“Fiona and Nicola were highly valued members of Greater Manchester Police and the local community. Our thoughts and prayers are now with their families and friends at this devastatingly sad time."

PC Bone and PC Hughes died after answering a bogus burglary call at a house where Dale Cregan was holed up.

The front door opened and at least 13 shots were fired before a grenade was lobbed at them.

One-eyed Cregan, 29, wanted in connection with the gun and grenade murders of a father and son earlier this year, handed himself in at a police station less than two hours after the horror in Manchester.

Cregan was arrested in June in connection with the murder of Mark Short but was released on bail pending further inquiries.

Shocked cops wept as David Cameron called the murders “a despicable act of pure evil”.

Police chief Sir Peter Fahy said: “It would appear Cregan has deliberately done this in an act of cold-blooded murder.”

The violent deaths stunned the nation.

But the motive for such cold-blooded killings remained a mystery last night.

It had emerged Cregan threw a goodbye party for pals on Monday night. There had been rumours for weeks that he had been hiding out on the estate in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, where the policewomen were killed.

Cregan was held at Manchester Airport in June after flying back from Thailand and quizzed over the murder of amateur boxer Mark Short in May.

He was freed pending further enquiries.