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World :: Two Policewomen Killed In Manchester Shooting

Two female police officers have died after being shot during an incident involving one of the country's most wanted murder suspects, Dale Cregan, in Manchester.

Cregan, 29, was subject of a manhunt in connection with separate gun and grenade attacks that killed a father and son.

The officers, both female and unarmed, were injured as they attended what police have called a "routine incident" at Abbey Gardens in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, just before 11am.

One officer died at the scene and the other died later in hospital.

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 shots and they did not know firearms would be involved.

As news of the second death came, the assistant chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, Garry Shewan, said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of a second police officer following an incident in Tameside this morning.

"A long and dark shadow has been cast across Greater Manchester and my thoughts are with the officers' family, friends and colleagues.

"We will be doing everything we can to support them over the coming days and weeks."

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