Manchester stands shoulder-to-shoulder today, heads bowed in prayer, to pay respects to two female officers killed in the line of duty
Thousands said goodbye at an emotional service for PC Nicola Hughes inside Manchester Cathedral, and more are expected on Thursday for another service at 10am for PC Fiona Bone.
The officers died in a gun-and-grenade attack in Mottram, Tameside, in September. PC Hughes died on 18 September with her colleague PC Bone after they were called to investigate a burglary in Mottram.
Greater Manchester Police’s Sir Peter Fahy said it was “abhorrent Nicola should die by the result of such an evil act.”
He added: “Nicola had a promising career ahead of her. She was not driven by personal gain but devotion to the public. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.”
All 43 chief constables from across England and Wales were among the mourners at the service, led by Sir Peter. Two officers from each of the 53 UK forces were formally invited to cover shifts so Greater Manchester police staff can attend the funerals.
PC Hughes’ cortège travelled along Deansgate en route to Manchester Cathedral for the 1pm funeral service. Mourners lined the streets of the city centre and bowed their heads while colleagues shared stories about her, praising her bravery.
Sir Peter led the tributes to Nicola, 23, from Oldham, in front of her family – mother, Susan, father Bryn and younger brother Sam. Nicola’s colleagues – Sgt Stephen Holt, Insp Jane Brown, Sgt Gordon Swan and Sgt Stephen Miskell – delivered touching tributes about her life through poems and Bible readings.
Fellow officers described her as a chatterbox who was always smiling with a bubbly and infectious personality.
Most mourners inside the service were family and police officers, many of them from the Tameside division where Nicola and Fiona, 32, from Sale, worked.
Deansgate was due to close to traffic from Quay Street up to the cathedral from 11am, although the entire road may be shut depending on numbers.
Dale Cregan, 29, has been charged with the murders of PCs Bone and Hughes and father and son David and Mark Short – along with the attempted murders of four people.
Fiona Bone’s funeral will take place at the cathedral on Thursday morning.