PC Ian Dibell family's shock over deaths of officers

PC Ian Dibell was shot while intervening in a row

The family of an off-duty Essex police officer shot dead while intervening in a row have spoken of their shock at the deaths of two officers in Manchester.

Father-of-two PC Ian Dibell, 41, was killed in Clacton on 9 July.

His partner Louise Lilley said she was shocked to hear of the deaths of PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone on Tuesday, "so soon after losing Ian".

"I am deeply saddened that two families have to go through the pain and heartbreak that we have gone through."

'Never be forgotten'

PC Dibell's brother, Paul, who is a detective inspector with Essex Police, said: "As a colleague in the policing family, I understand the loss that is felt amongst colleagues in Manchester and across the country.

"The memory of dedicated officers like this will never be forgotten."

PC Dibell died from a single bullet wound to the chest after he intervened in a dispute near his home.

His suspected killer, Peter Reeve, 64, shot himself dead in a churchyard in Writtle, near Chelmsford, on 10 July.

Dale Cregan, 29, remains in custody on suspicion of the murders of the two Greater Manchester officers in a gun and grenade attack.

PC Hughes, 23, and PC Bone, 32, were unarmed and had been sent to investigate what appeared to be a routine burglary report on Tuesday morning.

A second man, aged 28, has been arrested on conspiracy to commit murder.