Police Killings: Forensics Comb For Clues

Police are continuing to question a man after two unarmed policewomen were shot and killed, as forensic specialists scour the area for clues.

Detectives are trying to piece together the final moments of Fiona Bone, 32, and 23-year-old Nicola Hughes, who were called to an apparently empty council house where the windows had recently been whitewashed.

Witnesses said a hail of bullets was fired and a grenade was used during the attack, which killed both officers. Police are attempting to establish who called in the burglary report.

Shortly after the shooting Dale Cregan, 29, was arrested after going to a police station in Hyde, and is being detained on suspicion of killing the pair. He was already wanted in relation to the deaths of a father and son.

Window cleaner Warren Shepherd was working nearby when the attack happened.

He said: "All of a sudden I heard gunshots, quite loud, about ten in a row, then a pause and then a big explosion.

"I thought, that doesn't sound right. I walked round, saw a police car, the engine was still running and the lights were going.

"It was unreal, it was quiet, (neighbours) were there running about but there was no more noise. After about a minute or two police cars and ambulances started to arrive."

Speaking on Tuesday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said: "This is one of the darkest days in the history of the Greater Manchester Police if not for the police service overall, because we have lost two deeply loved and valued colleagues, because they are part of our team."

He paid tribute to Miss Hughes, describing her as a "chatterbox" and a "great bobby" who was "always smiling".

He said Miss Bone was a "calm, gentle woman", an "excellent bobby" and had been in the middle of planning her civil partnership.

Home Secretary Theresa May will meet Sir Peter later today.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the killings were an "absolutely despicable act of pure evil".

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the officers' deaths were a "heartbreaking reminder" of the "courage, the bravery and professionalism that police officers show up and down the country every day of every week of every month of every year".

Local MP Jonathan Reynolds said: "It's hard to articulate the shock and the grief in this area today."

One of the officers died at the scene. The second was critically injured and died later. The police flag at GMP headquarters has been lowered to half-mast.

Cregan is being questioned on suspicion of the deaths of the two police officers and in connection with the murders of David and Mark Short.

David Short was killed at his home in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, Manchester, on August 10, while Mark was shot dead at the Cotton Tree pub in nearby Droylsden, on May 25.

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

Sir Peter said it was "absolutely normal" for police to release people where there is insufficient evidence available for them to be charged.

Four men have already been charged in connection with Mark Short's murder and will enter pleas at Manchester Crown Court in November.