Two police officers shot dead

But police chiefs said the deaths of Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes would not undermine commitment to British-style unarmed policing.

The pair were attending a "routine incident" at around 11am in Hattersley, Tameside, when shots were fired and a grenade reportedly thrown.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said one of the officers died at the scene, with the second dying later in hospital.

Reports suggested that one of Britain's most wanted criminals Dale Cregan "lured the PCs to their deaths" by reporting a burglary.

He later handed himself in to a local police station and was arrested.

Colleagues described the two officers as "excellent bobbies."

GMP chief constable Peter Fahy said: "We are not perfect but day in, day out police officers go into dangerous situations and show great courage."

He was quick to quell any suggestion of bobbies on the beat being armed saying he was "passionate" that "British-style policing" was best.

GMP police federation representative Ian Hanson told Sky News: "What we have seen today is unprecedented.

"It is meaningless slaughter. Two young girls just doing their job, trying to some good in society and now they are dead.

"It was a trap - they were lured to an address and they have been shot in cold blood."

johnm@peoples-press.com