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Two police officers killed in Greater Manchester shooting Two police officers killed in Greater Manchester shooting
(35 minutes later)
Two female officers have been killed in Greater Manchester during an operation which led to the arrest of a man wanted in connection with fatal gun and grenade attacks, police have said. Two female police officers have been killed in Greater Manchester during an operation which led to the arrest of a man wanted in connection with fatal gun and grenade attacks, police have said.
The officers, both of whom were unarmed, were attending a "routine incident" in Hattersley, Tameside, shortly before 11am on Tuesday when shots were reportedly fired. One of the officers died at the scene, Greater Manchester police said in a statement. The second officer died later in hospital. The officers, both of whom were unarmed, were attending a "routine incident" in Hattersley, Tameside, shortly before 11am on Tuesday when shots were fired and a grenade reportedly thrown. One of the officers died at the scene, Greater Manchester police said in a statement. The second officer died later in hospital.
Shortly after the incident, Dale Cregan, who is wanted in connection with fatal gun and grenade attacks, handed himself in at a police station in Tameside, the statement said. He was arrested on suspicion of the murder of a police officer as well as on suspicion of two counts of murder in relation to the killings of a father and son who died in separate attacks this year. Shortly after the incident Dale Cregan handed himself in at a police station in Hyde, the statement said. He was arrested on suspicion of the murder of a police officer as well as on suspicion of two counts of murder in relation to the killings of a father and son, who died in separate attacks this year.
David Short, 46, was killed at his home in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, Manchester, on 10 August, while his son, Mark, was gunned down at the Cotton Tree pub in nearby Droylsden, on 25 May. David Short, 46, was killed at his home in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, Manchester, on 10 August, while his 23-year-old son, Mark, an amateur boxer, was gunned down at the Cotton Tree pub in nearby Droylsden, on 25 May.
Cregan, 29, had been the subject of a nationwide search since the summer, with a £50,000 reward offered for information leading to his arrest.Cregan, 29, had been the subject of a nationwide search since the summer, with a £50,000 reward offered for information leading to his arrest.
Four men have already been charged in connection with Mark Short's murder and are due to enter pleas at Manchester Crown Court in November. Earlier this month a 33-year-old man appeared at the same court charged with the murder of David Short. Four men have already been charged in connection with Mark Short's murder and are due to enter pleas at Manchester crown court in November. Earlier this month, a 33-year-old man appeared at the same court charged with the murder of David Short.
Speaking today from the headquarters of Greater Manchester police, where the flag has been lowered to half mast, Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of a second police officer following an incident in Tameside this morning. Speaking on Tuesday from Greater Manchester police headquarters, where the flag was flying at half mast, Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of a second police officer following an incident in Tameside this morning.
"A long and dark shadow has been cast across Greater Manchester and my thoughts are with the officers' family, friends and colleagues. We will be doing everything we can to support them over the coming days and weeks.""A long and dark shadow has been cast across Greater Manchester and my thoughts are with the officers' family, friends and colleagues. We will be doing everything we can to support them over the coming days and weeks."
Earlier Shewan said: "This is a tragic day for the whole force and we are currently piecing together exactly what happened this morning.Earlier Shewan said: "This is a tragic day for the whole force and we are currently piecing together exactly what happened this morning.
"I understand that the community will be fearful as they hear news of what has happened this morning. We have armed officers patrolling the area and we will aim to keep people updated as much as we can.""I understand that the community will be fearful as they hear news of what has happened this morning. We have armed officers patrolling the area and we will aim to keep people updated as much as we can."
The area around Abbey Gardens, where the incident took place, was cordoned off on Tuesday as a bomb disposal unit was reported to be seen nearby.
A 27-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, said her ex-boyfriend had witnessed the shootings. She told the Press Association he had seen someone outside a local house shoot the officers and then throw a grenade in the garden. "He said the officers hit the floor," she said. "Cregan then got into a silver BMW and drove off but he must have then gone on foot shortly after because my friend saw him on Stringer Avenue which is only down the road."
The home secretary, Theresa May, said: "This is a deeply shocking incident and a terrible reminder of the risks that police officers face every day to keep our communities safe."The home secretary, Theresa May, said: "This is a deeply shocking incident and a terrible reminder of the risks that police officers face every day to keep our communities safe."
Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), said: "Whenever police officers and staff lose a colleague that loss is felt right across the police family. The thoughts of everyone in policing are with colleagues in Greater Manchester Police, family and friends of the two officers at this time." Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "Whenever police officers and staff lose a colleague that loss is felt right across the police family. The thoughts of everyone in policing are with colleagues in Greater Manchester police, family and friends of the two officers at this time."
Derek Barnett, president of the Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales, said: "Today once again we have seen how police officers pay the ultimate price in losing their lives to protect the public. Whilst we still don't know the full circumstances, this tragic situation demonstrates the uniqueness of the office of constable, a duty not to walk away from danger. It also serves as a reminder of the risks that officers face on a regular basis.
"At the beginning of their tour of duty these two officers would have had no idea what lay ahead of them. I'm sure few words will offer true comfort to the families, colleagues and friends at such a difficult time, but our thoughts and prayers are with them."
The officers are the second and third to have died this year after a firearms incident.The officers are the second and third to have died this year after a firearms incident.
PC Ian Dibell was killed by a single bullet wound to the chest after intervening in a dispute while off duty in Clacton-on-sea, Essex, in July. The suspected gunman, Peter Reeve, was found dead the next day with a gun.PC Ian Dibell was killed by a single bullet wound to the chest after intervening in a dispute while off duty in Clacton-on-sea, Essex, in July. The suspected gunman, Peter Reeve, was found dead the next day with a gun.
In February, Northumbria PC David Rathband killed himself, 18 months after being blinded by gunman Raoul Moat in July 2010.In February, Northumbria PC David Rathband killed himself, 18 months after being blinded by gunman Raoul Moat in July 2010.