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Manchester police killings: Dale Cregan was on bail Manchester police killings: Dale Cregan was on bail
(35 minutes later)
A man suspected of killing two PCs in Greater Manchester was on bail over a fatal pub shooting, police have confirmed.A man suspected of killing two PCs in Greater Manchester was on bail over a fatal pub shooting, police have confirmed.
Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, were killed in a gun and grenade attack after apparently being lured to Mottram by a hoax burglary report.Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, were killed in a gun and grenade attack after apparently being lured to Mottram by a hoax burglary report.
Dale Cregan is being held on suspicion of their murders and two others.Dale Cregan is being held on suspicion of their murders and two others.
In June, Mr Cregan, 29, was questioned over the shooting of Mark Short in a Manchester pub and released on bail.In June, Mr Cregan, 29, was questioned over the shooting of Mark Short in a Manchester pub and released on bail.
Detectives are continuing to question Mr Cregan, previously described as Manchester's most wanted man, over the deaths of PCs Hughes and Bone.Detectives are continuing to question Mr Cregan, previously described as Manchester's most wanted man, over the deaths of PCs Hughes and Bone.
The police constables had been sent to investigate what appeared to be a routine burglary report in Abbey Gardens, Mottram, on Tuesday morning when they were attacked with a gun and grenade.The police constables had been sent to investigate what appeared to be a routine burglary report in Abbey Gardens, Mottram, on Tuesday morning when they were attacked with a gun and grenade.
Greater Manchester Police said it appeared they had been deliberately "drawn" to the scene.Greater Manchester Police said it appeared they had been deliberately "drawn" to the scene.
A minute's silence for the officers was held earlier.A minute's silence for the officers was held earlier.
In a statement, Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said there had been insufficient evidence available to charge Mr Cregan over the pub shooting and he had to be released.In a statement, Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said there had been insufficient evidence available to charge Mr Cregan over the pub shooting and he had to be released.
Mark Short, 23, was shot dead at the Cotton Tree pub in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, on 25 May. In June, Mr Cregan was arrested in connection with this death.Mark Short, 23, was shot dead at the Cotton Tree pub in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, on 25 May. In June, Mr Cregan was arrested in connection with this death.
Sir Peter said: "It is absolutely normal in complex crime inquiries that when people are arrested there are occasions where there is insufficient evidence available for them to be charged.Sir Peter said: "It is absolutely normal in complex crime inquiries that when people are arrested there are occasions where there is insufficient evidence available for them to be charged.
The residents of Ashworth Lane, next to Abbey Gardens in Mottram, are a community in shock. At exactly 11am the message across Greater Manchester Police radios was "can all officers stand by and observe a minute's silence".
On Tuesday they woke up to life on a normal street, only for that normality to be shattered by the murder of two police officers on their doorstep. Inside the police HQ it was a chance to pause and reflect on the deaths of their colleagues PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone.
Today, the road is cordoned off with police tape, a sea of media trucks has descended and a pile of flowers paying tribute to PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes is steadily growing. How many officers like them will be called out to routine jobs today?
At the end of the road, an off-duty officer who lives in the area, but did not want to be named, added her own floral tribute to her fallen colleagues. There is though a sense here that yesterday's grief is now turning to determination.
Fighting back tears, she said the deaths were "a real shame" and "terrible for the area". GMP's Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said he wants to bring each and every person involved to justice.
However, she said though it is "a bad thing that's happened, this could have happened anywhere". There are many questions the force must now answer as it investigates the deaths of the two officers and David and Mark Short.
The community would rebuild itself, she said. Questions like where has Dale Cregan been for the past eight weeks? Who, if anyone has been helping him avoid the several hundred police officers and support staff trying to find him?
href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-19646625" >Shock in Mottram at deaths There must be support too for the officers who have been trying to find Cregan. They are said to be shattered at how this manhunt ended.
The police authority here says it will do all it can to help them as officers try to understand what happened in a community they try to protect.
"In those circumstances suspects have to be released on bail as there are strict time limits covering how long suspects can be held in custody without charge."In those circumstances suspects have to be released on bail as there are strict time limits covering how long suspects can be held in custody without charge.
"That is exactly what happened in this case.""That is exactly what happened in this case."
Mr Cregan was arrested when he walked into Hyde police station a short time after the incident.Mr Cregan was arrested when he walked into Hyde police station a short time after the incident.
Sir Peter said he believed he had been "protected by a criminal conspiracy to harbour him".Sir Peter said he believed he had been "protected by a criminal conspiracy to harbour him".
Two people from the Abbey Gardens house, a man and a woman, continue to be questioned.Two people from the Abbey Gardens house, a man and a woman, continue to be questioned.
Home Secretary Theresa May is cutting her holiday short to travel to Manchester for a meeting with the chief constable.
Sir Peter said it may have been one of the "darkest days" in the history of the police service.Sir Peter said it may have been one of the "darkest days" in the history of the police service.
Describing the killings, he said it was "absolutely devastating... it felt like just a nightmare yesterday... that we hoped we'd wake up from but of course we didn't".Describing the killings, he said it was "absolutely devastating... it felt like just a nightmare yesterday... that we hoped we'd wake up from but of course we didn't".
He said PC Bone, originally from Castle Donington, Leicestershire, had been a "calm, gentle woman", an "excellent bobby" and had been in the middle of planning her wedding.He said PC Bone, originally from Castle Donington, Leicestershire, had been a "calm, gentle woman", an "excellent bobby" and had been in the middle of planning her wedding.
She moved with her family to the Isle of Man in 1997, before studying for a degree at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.She moved with her family to the Isle of Man in 1997, before studying for a degree at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.
The chief constable paid tribute to PC Hughes, from Oldham, describing her as a "chatterbox" and a "great bobby" who was always smiling.The chief constable paid tribute to PC Hughes, from Oldham, describing her as a "chatterbox" and a "great bobby" who was always smiling.
PC Hughes's family paid tribute to their "beautiful child", who loved her job as a police officer.PC Hughes's family paid tribute to their "beautiful child", who loved her job as a police officer.
"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, especially her colleagues.""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, especially her colleagues."
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said Tuesday was "the hardest and most upsetting day" of his career. Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said Tuesday had been "the hardest and most upsetting day" of his career.
"I want to publicly thank those who have taken time out to pay tribute to Fiona and Nicola and pass on their kind words of support, love and condolence," he said."I want to publicly thank those who have taken time out to pay tribute to Fiona and Nicola and pass on their kind words of support, love and condolence," he said.
"Two hard working and brave young women did not go home to their loved ones as a result of a calculated and malicious plan."Two hard working and brave young women did not go home to their loved ones as a result of a calculated and malicious plan.
"We are determined to bring each and every person involved in this incident to justice.""We are determined to bring each and every person involved in this incident to justice."
Miss Bone's father Paul has called for the death penalty for anyone convicted of murdering a police officer. PC Bone's father Paul has called for the death penalty for anyone convicted of murdering a police officer.
The incident has prompted renewed calls for the routine arming of police.The incident has prompted renewed calls for the routine arming of police.
But Sir Peter said his force believed "passionately" that police should remain unarmed, despite the tragedy. But Sir Peter said his force believed "passionately" that officers should remain unarmed, despite the tragedy.
Association of Chief Police Officers president Sir Hugh Orde also warned against a rush to routinely arm officers.Association of Chief Police Officers president Sir Hugh Orde also warned against a rush to routinely arm officers.
"You only have to look at the American experience. Many colleagues in America are lost without even drawing their gun at close ranges," he said."You only have to look at the American experience. Many colleagues in America are lost without even drawing their gun at close ranges," he said.
The Greater Manchester force has opened a book of condolence for the dead officers on its website. The Greater Manchester force has opened a book of condolence for the dead policewomen on its website.
Police said 2,600 messages had already been left, many from fellow officers from forces across the UK.Police said 2,600 messages had already been left, many from fellow officers from forces across the UK.
Officers and staff at Greater Manchester Police headquarters also held a minute's silence to remember the officers. A book of condolence has also been opened at Hyde Town Hall.
About 100 people attended a service in St Barnabas Church, Hyde, at 11:00 BST during which a candle for each officer was lit at the altar. Officers and staff at Greater Manchester Police headquarters held a minute's silence to remember the officers.
About 100 people attended a service in St Barnabas Church, Hyde, earlier during which a candle for each officer was lit at the altar.
Mr Cregan had been the subject of a huge manhunt after the murder of David Short, 46, Mark Short's father. A £50,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.Mr Cregan had been the subject of a huge manhunt after the murder of David Short, 46, Mark Short's father. A £50,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
On 10 August, David Short was killed at his home in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, after describing his son's killers as cowards. He was found dead after an explosion was heard.On 10 August, David Short was killed at his home in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, after describing his son's killers as cowards. He was found dead after an explosion was heard.
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.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.
A 33-year-old man and a 24-year-old man have been charged with the murder of David Short.A 33-year-old man and a 24-year-old man have been charged with the murder of David Short.
Mr Cregan is now being questioned over the deaths of David and Mark Short, as well as the murders of the two police officers.Mr Cregan is now being questioned over the deaths of David and Mark Short, as well as the murders of the two police officers.