Local memorial set to honour fallen police heroes
Date published: 18 September 2013
DIGGLE could have a memorial linked to murdered PC Nicola Hughes, Greater Manchester’s top police officer has revealed.
The news comes exactly 12 months after PC Hughes, a former Diggle Primary and Saddleworth School pupil, and colleague Fiona Bone were murdered in an horrific gun and grenade attack which shocked the nation.
The two officers were remembered this morning with a minute’s silence as families and friends attended a private memorial event at Hyde police station, which has its own memorial to the women. Stations across Greater Manchester also observed the silence.
Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said several ideas are being considered in the officers’ memory.
“A huge amount of money has been raised in Saddleworth and across the area. Nicola’s family is looking at how it will allocate donations. One idea will benefit local people, or will be a local tribute.”
Sir Peter praised Nicola’s family and close fiends: “Our focus today is on the families and on Nicola and Fiona, to remember them in a personal way. Today’s memorial service at Hyde was planned to be very personal. It will be a painful day as they remember that shocking day, 12 months ago.
“These murders also had a huge impact on Greater Manchester Police and the whole nation. While the police sadly have to deal with many tragic deaths and violent incidents, these killings had a particular impact. They were the worst police killings in this country since the 1960s.
“Today’s anniversary reminds us how awful these murders were — that two officers were brutally killed in cold blood while doing their duty.”
Sir Peter added: “This was the worst incident I’ve dealt with during my police career. It came during a massive manhunt for Dale Cregan for an investigation into two earlier murders. In some ways, that made this tragedy harder to bear.”
Thousands of sympathy cards and letters sent by the public will be passed to the families, Sir Peter said: “The public response has been incredible and the families have been incredibly moved by this.”
Last year, Nicola’s family thanked the public for their support following the 23-year-old’s death.
Her mum Susan, dad Bryn, their partners Michael and Natalie, brother Samuel and partner Natalie, and Nicola’s boyfriend Gareth Cleminson, issued a statement expressing their gratitude to everyone who had supported the family following Nicola’s death.
PC Hughes loved her job and was “as proud as anything” when she got her warrant card. She gave up a psychology degree at Huddersfield University and part-time jobs at a shoe shop and at the Bull’s Head in Delph for a police career aged 20.
