Two Policewomen Killed In Manchester Shooting

One of the country's most wanted men has given himself up to police after two unarmed female officers were killed attending a "routine incident".

Eyewitnesses said a hail of bullets was fired and a grenade was thrown during the attack in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, shortly before 11am. One of the officers died at the scene. The second was critically injured and died later.

Soon after the attack, Dale Cregan, 29, who was being hunted in connection with separate gun and grenade attacks that killed a father and son, walked into a nearby police station.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan of Greater Manchester Police said: "A long and dark shadow has been cast across Greater Manchester and my thoughts are with the officers' family, friends and colleagues."

There were reports the officers had been in a local supermarket shortly before the incident. Police say the two women were not responding to an incident involving firearms and they did not know Cregan would be involved.

Shortly after the policewomen were shot, Cregan walked into a police station in Hyde and gave himself up. He has now been arrested on suspicion of murdering the police officers - as well as the original two counts.

Stuart Littleford, the editor of local newspaper Saddleworth News, told Sky News local residents had reported hearing "a number of shots fired". Witnesses also saw police officers were reportedly seen running away in tears.

An army bomb desposal vehicle is there and the scene around the shooting in Abbey Gardens has been cordoned off with a heavy police presence. An explosion was heard within the cordon this afternoon.

Local window cleaner Warren Shepherd was on his rounds in Hattersley close to where the officers were shot.

"I just heard gun shots, bang, bang, bang - around ten of them, then a pause and a big explosion," he said.

"I went around the back of the houses to see what happened and there was a police car that looked empty.

"There was people, neighbours stood around there and one of my customers said, 'They've been shot! The police officers have been shot!'

"Everybody was in shock and couldn't believe it.

"It must have been a matter of minutes, more police cars came and an ambulance came" Mr Shepherd added.

Assistant chief constable Shewan, described it as "a tragic day for the whole force".

He said: "This is a heartbreaking time for the officers' families and colleagues and our thoughts are with them.

"This is a tragic day for the whole force and we are currently piecing together exactly what happened this morning, which has led to one of our officers being murdered and another lying in hospital fighting for their life.

"I understand that the community will be fearful as they hear news of what has happened this morning. We have armed officers patrolling the area and we will aim to keep people updated as much as we can."

Prime Minister David Cameron said that the killing of two police officers was "a shocking reminder of the debt we owe to those who put themselves in danger to keep us safe and secure".

Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted: "My thoughts and condolences are with the families and friends of two police officers killed today while trying to keep their community safe."

Home Secretary Theresa May added: "This is a deeply shocking incident and a terrible reminder of the risks that police officers face every day to keep our communities safe."

A £50,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest of Cregan who police wanted to speak to about the murders of David Short, 46, and his son Mark, 23.

David Short was killed at his home in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, on August 10, while Mark was gunned down at the Cotton Tree pub in Droylsden on May 25.

A gunman walked into the pub and fired shots which injured three other men. A post-mortem examination showed Mark Short died from a gunshot wound to the neck.

Ash Rathband, whose police officer father David was shot and blinded by gun maniac Raoul Moat, called for police to be armed after today's killings.

PC Rathband was found hanging at his home in Blyth, Northumberland, in February, having been blasted in July 2010 while on duty, sitting unarmed in a traffic patrol car.

His son tweeted: "It's time for police to be armed in my opinion.

"Yet again another awful incident"

His view was echoed by PC Rathband's twin Darren, who said: "Give them more than a bloody piece of plastic and some spray. Tragic!"

Four men have already been charged in connection with Mark Short's murder and are due to enter pleas at Manchester Crown Court in November.

Earlier this month a 33-year-old man also appeared at Manchester Crown Court charged with the gun and grenade murder of David Short.

The President of the Association of Chief Police Officers, Sir Hugh Orde, said: "The death of two female police officers in Greater Manchester is deeply sad news for the police service.

"The two unarmed officers were responding to a routine call when faced with a dangerous and deadly situation.

"Whenever police officers and staff lose a colleague that loss is felt right across the police family. The thoughts of everyone in policing are with colleagues in Greater Manchester Police, family and friends of the two officers at this time."