10 Years On: Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes remembered

Family of former Manx resident say grief 'never leaves'

People in Manchester will come together this weekend to mark a decade since a former Manx resident ‘made the ultimate sacrifice’ for the oath she took as a police officer.

Sunday marks 10 years since PC Fiona Bone, who grew up in Port St Mary, and her colleague PC Nicola Hughes were murdered whilst on duty.

On 18 September 2012 PC Bone, who was 32, and PC Hughes, who was 23, were responding to reports of a burglary in Tameside when they were ambushed, attacked, and killed.

The incident was the first in the United Kingdom in which two female police officers were killed on duty.

Each year Greater Manchester Police remembers the fallen officers by holding a memorial service at Hyde Police Station - the force says Sunday’s event, a decade on, will be ‘particularly poignant’.

Family and friends of the officers, colleagues, MPs, representatives from Tameside Council and members of the community will attend to pay their respects.

Fiona’s father Paul Bone told Manx Radio reliving his daughter’s death is always difficult:

During the service a minute’s silence will be held at 10.53am and wreaths will be laid by the families and by the Tameside District Commander – Chief Superintendent Phil Davies.

He said: “Although 10 years has passed the emotion and grief is still felt on anniversaries such as this and reminds us of the dangerous situations’ officers face on a daily basis.

“On Sunday we will come together with Nicola and Fiona’s families and honoured guests to reflect on the passing of a decade since they made the ultimate sacrifice for the oath they took as police officers.

“Nicola and Fiona’s essence and presence remain with us and is tangibly felt by those who knew and worked with them, but also their colleagues who have joined the GMP family after their passing.”

Fiona’s sister Vicky will spend Sunday at the place where her sibling was laid to rest – she says the grief ‘never leaves’ and Fiona is never far from anyone’s thoughts:

The memorial service at Hyde Police Station will start at 10.40am on Sunday and is open to members of the public.

On 13 June 2013 Dale Cregan received a whole life sentence at Preston Crown Court for the murderers of PC Bone and PC Hughes.