Yorkshire police head to Manchester for PC’s funeral (From York Press)

Yorkshire police head to Manchester for PC’s funeral

10:57am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News By Jennifer Bell, jennifer.bell@thepress.co.uk

OFF-DUTY police officers from North and East Yorkshire will today join colleagues in Manchester as thousands of mourners gather to pay tribute to one of the fallen officers killed in last month’s gun and grenade attack.

Colleagues of 23-year-old PC Nicola Hughes will line the route as the funeral cortege travels from Deansgate, one of the city's main thoroughfares, to Manchester Cathedral ahead of the service at 1pm.

PC Hughes died on September 18 with her colleague PC Fiona Bone after they were called to investigate a burglary in Mottram. PC Bone’s funeral will take place at the cathedral tomorrow morning.

Officers from Greater Manchester will be joined by off-duty officers from North Yorkshire Police and Humberside Police who headed to the city to pay their respects.

Officers from the two forces, as well as the other 44 forces across England and Wales, will help take over policing duties in Manchester so the colleagues of PC Hughes could say a final farewell to the officer described as "a lovely friend and a great bobby".

North Yorkshire Police’s temporary chief constable Tim Madgwick will be among those who attend the funeral.

Mike Stubbs, deputy chair for the North Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “‘Sadly, the tragic deaths of these two young officers bring into sharp focus the very real dangers that police officers face on a daily basis as they work to protect our communities.

"Our thoughts today and tomorrow are with their families, friends and colleagues.”

The funerals of PC Hughes and PC Bone come just days after the National Police Memorial Day service was held at York Minster to remember officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Sgt Stubbs said: “Each and every death is a devastating loss which is felt throughout the police service. “On Sunday, on the streets of York, there was exceptional support from the public for National Police Memorial Day and it is already clear that, in Manchester, we will see the wider community join police officers in huge numbers to pay tribute to PC Hughes and PC Bone.”

A big screen will broadcasted the service for people outside in Cathedral Gardens, close to the city centre.

Dale Cregan, 29, has been charged with the murders of the two officers and the murders of Mark Short, 23, in May and his father David, 46, in August.

PC Hughes joined the Greater Manchester force three years ago and her mother said she died doing a job she loved.