E33 - The Crimes of Dale Cregan

**This Episode contains descriptions of a graphic nature. Listener discretion is advised**

On the 18th of September 2012 Police Constables, Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes set out on routine patrol in the Greater Manchester area. It was a typically pleasant autumn day with nothing to indicate the horrors that would later unfold for them both.

Nicola Hughes was 23 years old and had wanted to be a police officer since she was a young girl. She had been on the force just a few short months when she was paired with Fiona who was tasked with showing her the ropes. Fiona Bone was thirty-two years old and a kind and caring woman who was dedicated to her job and her family. She was engaged to be married and often spoke with her fellow officers about how excited she was to be planning her wedding.

Nicola and Fiona were dispatched to respond to an address in Abbey Garden in the village of Longendale, after a caller reported a possible burglary. The address was only a few minutes from their location, so they drove their police-issued Volkswagen van and parked outside the front of the home.

When they arrived at the quiet cul-de-sac there was no sign of anything untoward and so they exited the van and walked towards the gate bordering the front garden.

Breaking through the stillness they heard a voice yell POLICE POLICE! A split-second later, shots rang out from the home. Bullets flew toward Fiona and Nicola and with no time to react they both took rounds to the chest, with only their stab vests to protect them. In the seconds following the shots, they ran in opposite directions in a desperate attempt to dodge the gunfire raining down upon them.

NOVEMBER COMPETITION LINK!

SAMM NATIONAL

Support after murder and manslaughter.

SAMM provides a wide range of peer support services to people bereaved by murder & manslaughter.

Call – 0121 472 2912

or

Text – 07342 888 570.

I’d love you to share your feedback with me by leaving a review for the show. This really helps the show to grow, and I love to put a pin on the map for wherever you’re listening from.

For credits, Transcripts & Photo’s relating to today’s episode, please visit: WWW.TRUECRIMEBRITAIN.COM/EPISODES

Exclusive access to ad – free, early release & bonus episodes, plus even more great rewards, please visit: WWW.PATREON.COM/TRUECRIMEBRITAIN

Get involved by following the show on social media, you could recommend True Crime Britain to friend, or even give us a shout – out!

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.