Diggle will never forget

Photo: Picture: GARETH LOWE

TRIBUTE . . . the book of condolence for murdered police officers Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone.

A COMMUNITY united in grief yesterday to pay tribute to murdered policewomen Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone.

Shocked locals piled into Kiln Green Church, Diggle, to hear the Rev Duncan Rhodes speak about the horrific circumstances that robbed two families of much-loved young women killed in the line of duty.

The incident that saw Saddleworth’s PC Hughes (23) and her colleague PC Bone (32) murdered outside a house in Hattersley, sent ripples of shock through a close-knit community struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

After the hour-long service a book of condolence was carried into the church for people to write messages of support for the families.

Kiln Green Church, which is on Lee Side, at the top of Diggle village, will be open from 1-5pm on September 30 for anyone to sign the book of condolence.

After the service, parishioner Kath Smith said: “I didn’t know Nicola or her family, but today’s service was lovely. It’s what village communities do.

“There were four times as many people at the service as usual, and it was lovely to see so many young people, who were obviously Nicola’s friends, and for there to be a book of condolence which must bring some comfort to the families.”

Nicola was a former pupil of Saddleworth School and, for a short time, Diggle Primary School.

Dale Cregan (29), of no fixed address, has been charged with the murder of both officers and other crimes and was due to appear at Manchester Crown Court today.

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the murder. Police said the boy, who was detained in Hattersley, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and has been bailed until Thursday.

A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder the officers has been released without charge.






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