Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes memorial garden opened in Hyde

  • Published

A memorial garden has been unveiled to remember two Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers who were killed while investigating a suspected burglary.

PCs Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, were shot dead in a gun and grenade attack in Hattersley, Tameside, on 18 September.

During a ceremony at Hyde police station, the mothers of the officers released doves.

Dale Cregan, 29, has been charged with the officers' murders.

The garden, at the station where the two police officers were based, has been created using funds donated by the public, businesses and police partners.

'Brave women'

Speaking at the ceremony, Fiona Bone's father, Paul, said: "We should thank the police for doing their duty day in, day out, regardless of the risks they routinely face.

"Fiona loved her police work, she enjoyed being out on the street and helping people and I'm sure Nicola felt the same."

Sir Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of GMP, said it was a "special place" for the two officers' friends, family and colleagues.

"I think it's really fitting that the garden has been created outside the walls of the station, so that members of the public can also come here and use it as a place of remembrance and reflection," he said.

Prayers were said during the opening of the garden and a minute's silence was held.

Ch Supt Nick Adderley, from GMP's Tameside division, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the support and compassion shown by not only our community but also from those further afield.

"It is through their generosity and goodwill that we have been able to make this memorial garden a reality."

Community volunteer Donald Dargavel, who was at the ceremony, described the garden as "beautiful".

"It's an upsetting time for the families, but they deserve this tribute as they were two brave women," he said.

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