More tributes for Saddleworth’s ‘warm and bubbly’ Nicola tragically killed doing the job she loved
PC Nicola Hughes who had attended Saddleworth School.
Tributes continue to pour in for the two police officers killed in a gun and grenade attack whilst investigating reports of a burglary at Abbey Gardens in Hattersley, Tameside on Tuesday.
PC Nicola Hughes from Saddleworth, had attended Saddleworth School and was also well known for visiting Delph Youth Club, in Delph over the years, and was a familiar face in the village.
Jackie Abbott, a former youth worker at Delph Youth Club, told Saddleworth News: “Nicola was a regular member at Delph Youth Club and always took part in all our activities.
“She was warm, friendly and very bubbly. Anything that we did, Nicola was a part of, including sleep-overs, shelter-building and charity car-washing. She was a part of a wonderful group of young people with so much to give.
“Even when she moved on with her life, she always kept in touch and maintained her ambition to join the police, something that she had always wanted to do. I remember when she ran out from the shop where she worked to tell me that she’d passed all her exams and been accepted into the police force.
“She’ll be terribly missed by everyone who knew her. It’s tragic that someone so young and full of life, with so much to offer, has been taken in this way.”
She had also worked in the former Salters shoe shop in Oldham, now Meeks Shoes.
Saddleworth School, said it was a sad day for the school and the wider community.
A spokesman said: “Saddleworth School is shocked and appalled by the news that a former pupil Nicola Hughes has lost her life.
“Our thoughts go out to Nicola’s family and to the family of her colleague Fiona Bone.
“The school works closely with GMP and many colleagues have strong links with the force.”
Nicola’s mother Susan said she died “doing the job she loved”.
In a statement, she said: “We cannot express how we feel today except to say we have always been exceedingly proud of Nicola and always will be.
“She knew she was loved by us all and we shall all miss her dreadfully.
“Nicola always wanted to make a difference and, in doing so, she made such a big difference to everyone she knew. She cared about everyone and especially her colleagues.”
‘Always smiling’
She was described by colleagues as “very bubbly, loved life and socialising”.
Her colleagues said: “She was a chatterbox and was always smiling, even after a night shift when everyone else was a bit grumpy.
“She was a good listener and couldn’t do enough for people, she was a lovely friend and a great bobby.”
“Our thoughts go out to Nicola’s family and to the family of her colleague Fiona Bone.
“The school works closely with GMP and many colleagues have strong links with the force.”
She leaves behind a mother, father Bryn, and younger brother Sam.
On Tuesday night Oldham Athletic players held a minutes silence for the two officers and wore black armbands for their match with Scunthorpe United.
Chief Executive, Neil Joy said: “On behalf of everybody connected with Oldham Athletic, our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of the two officers at this difficult time.”
Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “I am completely shocked. My thoughts go out to the families, friends and colleagues of the two officers. It is at times like these we remember the courage and bravery of our police.”
Her colleague who was also killed, PC Fiona Bone, lived in Sale with her partner Clare and daughter Jessie.
She leaves behind her Mum, June, Dad, Paul and her sister Vicky and Vicky’s Fiancée Mark. Her partner Clare and daughter Jessie.
Fiona joined GMP in 2007 and had over five years’ service.
Fiona’s family has issued the following statement: “In addition to the kind tribute from the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, may I add that our family have lost a wonderful daughter, sister, partner and parent to Jessie.
“Fiona enjoyed life to the full from her days with the Air training corps, Rugby at University, to her service with the Police.
“She was planning her marriage to Clare and this joy has been taken from us.
PC Fiona Bone who was planning her marriage.
PC Fiona Bone who was planning her marriage.
“May I take this opportunity to thank officers from both Greater Manchester Police and the Isle of Man Police for their help and assistance at this time.
“Our thoughts are with Nicola’s family along with Fiona and Nicola’s fellow officers at Tameside police station.”
An online book of condolence has been opened and has attracted over twenty five thousand messages from well-wishers.
Anyone wishing to rest flowers is asked to leave them at Mottram Court House, Jackson Street, Mottram.
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, said: “We have been touched by the many thousands of messages of support that we have received from the public who are as shocked as we are following the tragic deaths of our two officers on Tuesday.
“Greater Manchester Police along with police forces across the UK are still very much in mourning and our specially trained staff are doing everything they can to support the families of Fiona and Nicola.
The post mortem examination for both officers has concluded that PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone died as a result of gunshot wounds.
Following the incident, 29-year-old Dale Cregan was arrested after he walked into a police station in Tameside.
He has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of two police officers. He has also been arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder in relation to the investigations into the murders of David Short and Mark Short.
Police at the scene of the incident in Hattersley on Tuesday. Photo: Stuart Littleford.
A 28-year-old man was arrested in the Hattersley area on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. He has been taken into police custody for questioning.
A book of condolence is available online at www.gmp.police.uk for anyone who wishes to leave messages for the two officers.
Flowers left at the scene in Hattersley. Photo: Stuart Littleford.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
If you would like to share an interesting story, achievement, photo or something you just want to happily shout about please send it in an email to hello@saddleworthlife.com We'd ❤ to hear from you!!
6 Comments
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I recall 5 years ago when Nicky was working at the Bulls Head/Tapas,Delph and in conversation she told me that she was very keen to pass her entrance exams to be accepted by the Police in Manchester and thereafter study further and progress her career.
It is very tragic and sickening that an attractive young,entusiastic,determined and thoughtful professional should be “cut down” so horrificly and early in her short life.
If only the bjudical system in this country had more powers this could and should have not happened.
This is a really terrible crime – a deliberate and cowardly act, by a person who has no respect for the society in which we all live. I don’t agree with a death penalty, but I do think that life should mean life where someone has proved to be such a danger to the public.
RIP Nicola and Fiona – thank you for doing your bit to make our country a better place to live. My condolances to your families, GMP colleagues and friends.
Such a sad waste of young lives.
RIP
Deepest condolences to your family, friends and colleagues.
I agree that the coward who perpetrated this horrible crime should not ever see freedom again.
An awful tragedy and one that no matter how well you have been trained and prepared, you can never know what may be awaiting you at the scene.
My condolences to the family and friends of the two young Police Officers from our area.
We always need the help and assistance of the public and the Police Service must never allow them to be frightened to come forward with information.
LETS NOT LET THE BAD GUYS WIN!
A Greater Manchester Police Pensioner.
This is the worset crime I have seen or heard for many years. Ian I cannot agree with you the death penalty is the only thing which is going to stop all these acts going on all over England, they have respect for any one and can get away with it parly. The only thing stopping the Death Penalty is certain groups within England and the Police need this protection. The officers in greater Manchester will be feeling this very much but have to carry on with their job still without protection, I do not agree with arming the Police but the above should be brought in. You did a great job for the public Nicola and Liona and you will be saddly missed.
Michael – not really the time or place to get into this but really, do you think that would solve anything? There are 33 states in the US which currently have the death penalty as a legal sentence. Can you tell me that nothing like this happens in any of them?
www.odmp.org/search/year might be helpful.
Supporting and protecting the Police need not mean losing our own sense of humanity.