Tributes paid to Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes on anniversary of their murders

The chief constable of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) led the tributes to two officers murdered on duty on the first anniversary of their deaths.

PCs Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, were killed by Dale Cregan, 30, when attending the scene of a suspected burglary in Mottram, Tameside, on September 18, 2012. In June, Cregan was handed a whole-life sentence for the fatal gun and grenade attack.

Thousands of officers and well-wishers attended their funerals in Manchester in October last year, and numerous charitable initiatives have been launched to commemorate their lives.

A memorial service was held to mark the first anniversary of the day Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said “shocked a nation”. He described PCs Bone and Hughes as two highly-valued officers whose deaths “had an immense impact on the local community”, and praised GMP officers for their resilience in the wake of the deaths and their determined investigation to seek justice.

“The past 12 months have been a difficult time for the force, but it is testament to the professionalism and dedication of our officers and staff, who since that day have continued to go out and serve the public to the very best of their ability,” he said.

“We have also worked tirelessly in the Tameside and north Manchester areas to deal with those organised criminal networks responsible for the extreme outbursts of violence that led up to the deaths of Fiona and Nicola. This work will go on around Greater Manchester as we continue to take down these types of offenders, strip them of their assets and try to prevent others from being drawn into this lifestyle.

“Today, we think of the families of Fiona and Nicola, of their friends and colleagues and the people of Hattersley. We remember our two young officers, who had their whole lives ahead of them but were taken cruelly from us doing the job they loved. We will never forget their great sacrifice.”

Ian Hanson, chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said the way officers from across the world rallied round showed how “the police service is a family”, adding the force could not have got through the tragedy without their support.

He said: “That morning our two friends set out to work on what started as a day like any other, they had one simple objective which is shared by every police officer, which is to help people and make a difference.

“Tragically their young lives were cut short and in a moment the names Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone became synonymous with bravery, compassion and public service.

“We remember how we all felt so angry and helpless and one year on those emotions have not really gone away. They have, however, been joined by pride as we treasure the memory of our colleagues, a memory we will treasure for the rest of our service – if not our lives.”

Tony Lloyd, police and crime commissioner for Greater Manchester, also paid tribute to PCs Bone and Hughes.

He said: “Even a year on it is still shocking that two young women lost their lives while going about the task of making Greater Manchester a better and safer place to live.

“Rightly, the principal perpetrator is now serving an indefinite sentence and will remain in prison for the rest of his life.

“Rightly, police officers across Greater Manchester have shown their respects to Fiona and Nicola by carrying on the day-to-day work of policing and building safer communities.

“Rightly and properly, the people of Greater Manchester will today join together with the families, friends and colleagues of Fiona and Nicola to remember their bravery and the sacrifices they made.”

•Tracy Miskell, 42, a response officer in GMP’s Tameside division who served with PCs Bone and Hughes and spoke at their funerals, died on September 11. PC Miskell joined the force on April 25, 2005. She was found dead soon after returning home from the gym with her husband.