18/09/2012 North West Tonight

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight. Our top story:

A dark day in history. Two female officers are killed in a gun and

grenade attack in Greater Manchester. Who clearly this is one

of the darkest days and the history of our police force.

Dale Cregan, one of Britain's most wanted men, is now being held by

police on suspicion of murder. A community in shock. The residents

of Mottram try to come to terms with the tragedy. Do have spent the

day out and about, talking to police and are helping the people

here who are in disbelief at. New figures show Blackpool has one

of the highest rates of death from liver disease.

And rural schools under threat. A Cumbrian MP fears some could close

because of changes to the way they are funded.

It couldn't have been a more routine Tuesday morning police call.

Reports of a burglary in a quiet cul-de-sac here in Mottram. Minutes

later, that cul-de-sac erupted into unbelievable violence and horror.

Two woman police officers shot down by a gunman who hurled a grenade as

he fired. The reactions - grief, shock, bafflement. Tonight, Prime

Minister David Cameron described it as a despicable act, one of pure

evil. Greater Manchester's Chief Constable said the killings had

cast a long, dark shadow over his force. This report contains flash

photography. Shortly before 11am this morning,

two officers were sent to Abbey Gardens in Mottram. They were

called to this cul de sac after a report of a burglary. Soon after

their arrival, a window cleaner heard gunfire. I heard 10 shots

quite close together. I heard a big bang. That must have been 10

seconds after the shots. I got of Malaga and walks round. I saw an

empty police car with the siren still flashing. Then a car sped off.

The chief constable said later the burglary was bogus. The officers,

unarmed, had, he said, been lured to the house deliberately by one of

the country's most wanted men, Dale Cregan. They were attacked with a

gun and a grenade. We believe either he has made the call or he

has got someone else to make the call. That was for the purposes of

drawing these officers to that particular scene. Then he has come

out and killed them both. It would appear to be as if he has

deliberately done this acts of cold-blooded murder. Dale Cregan

was wanted for questioning about gun and grenade attacks that left a

father and son dead. This was the scene in Clayton after one of the

killings last month. A �50,000 reward had been offered for

information on his whereabouts. Today, the long search for Dale

Cregan ended with the deaths of two police officers, attacked with a

gun and grenades. 32-year-old Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, who was 23.

Tonight, the Prime Minister dismissed calls that police

officers should be armed. There is no sign that anything wrong was

done. The only thing which has happened was an act of shocking

evil of this man who has taken the lives of two police officers who

were doing their duty. After today's incident, Dale Cregan

handed himself in at a police station. He has been arrested on

suspicion of murdering the two officers and the two men killed

earlier this year. A shocking and dark day indeed for

the police. Local residents have gathered to leave tributes. Our

Chief Reporter has been with the Greater Manchester force throughout

the afternoon and joins us now their headquarters. What has been

the reaction to this terrible news of the deaths of constables Nicola

Hughes and Fiona Bone? Well, this new headquarters

building was to sighted -- designed to be light and airy, but the mood

here is grey and sombre. Flags are flying at half mast. The Chief

Constable summed up the mood here during the press conference this

afternoon. Greater Manchester Police is in mourning today for the

loss of two very brave and courageous colleagues who

exemplified the very best of British policing. We are determined

to make sure that we carry out the fullest investigation into their

deaths and particularly bring to justice all those who may have been

involved in planning these awful events and in harbouring those who

have committed them. Two very young officers who were

responding to the call this morning. What more can you tell us about

them? Nicolas had been with the force for

three years. She was a very great policeman. Her colleague, Fiona

Bone, was 32 it and had five years' service under her belt. She was

from the Isle of Man. She was Scheibe when she first arrived. She

was well liked and respected by colleagues. Tragically, she was due

to get married soon. This morning, she was discussing wedding

arrangements with her fiance. She was talking about creating wedding

invitations on computers. Sadly, her family and friends are now

preparing for a funeral instead of a wedding.

We believe these officers were ambushed. It shows the risks that

officers face every day? Yes. Since Greater Manchester

Police came into being in the 1970s, they have lost six officers. One

police officer was stabbed at end 1993. His death was widely mourned

at the time. Today, sadly, Greater Manchester Police have two more

deaths to mourn. Earlier, I spoke to Our man from

the greater Police Federation and asked for his reaction. We cannot

believe what has happened today on the streets of Greater Manchester.

Toulouse two dedicated, young officers in circumstances like this

is to it -- is beyond belief. I cannot believe that police officers

on the streets of Manchester have been attacked in cold blood with

firearms and hand grenades. It is beyond belief. Can you describe the

reaction of fellow officers? Colleagues are none. The cannot

believe what we're witnessing. Police officers are resilient. We

will pick ourselves up and carry on. We have officers responding to

emergency incidents as we speak now. That is the nature of policing.

There will come a point later today or tomorrow when every officer in

Greater Manchester will reflect on what has happened today. We are

wrongly human beings. Sir Peter Fahy said it was important --

impossible to send armed officers to everyone. Are you to -- are you

satisfied enough has been done to protect frontline officers? There

was no intelligence about that address. We have to be realistic

and say that Greater Manchester Police response to thousands of

incidents every day. It is a very busy division. Two deploy armed

officers at every single incident is unrealistic and every incident

that officers have attended, they have done so after a risk

assessment. There was no intelligence on that address.

did you hear the news? I got a phone call this morning which was

met with utter disbelief. I cannot believe this sort of thing is

happening on the streets of Greater Manchester. This is a very sad day

for the police force. Probably the saddest day in their -- in their

history. Today's events follow a police

investigation that has lasted nearly four months. It began in May,

when 23-year-old Mark Short was shot dead during a party at a pub

in Droylsden. Police said this was not a random attack. This is an

isolated incident and we will put every effort into solving this.

Then, last month Mark Short's father, 46-year-old David Short was

killed in a gun and grenade attack at his home in Clayton. Police said

they believed the incidents were connected, and released these CCTV

images of the attack. They also issued a photo of a man they wanted

to speak to in connection with both murders. 29-year-old Dale Cregan.

By now, the search for him involved hundreds of officers, with some

brought in from neighbouring forces. Two weeks later, with still no

clues as to Cregan's whereabouts, police took the unprecedented step

of offering a �50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest

and that of another man thought to be involved, 33-year-old Anthony

Wilkinson. The highest reward ever offered by the force.

You don't have to go to court. Just information leading to the arrest.

One anonymous call to Crimestoppers, that is all it takes.

Then, just over two weeks ago, Anthony Wilkinson was arrested in

Openshawe. He has since appeared in court charged with the murder of

David Short. But still there was no sign of Dale Cregan. Until today,

and the tragic deaths of two police officers. Tonight Dale Cregan's

being questioned on suspicion of all four murders.

Tonight, the people of Mottram have armed police on their streets. In

some cases, the streets they have grown up on. Such a shocking double

murder so close to home is going to take time to come to terms with.

Our reporter has been gauging reaction in the area.

People living on this estate describe a close-knit area up where

many of the residents have spent their whole lives. Never has the

community experienced anything like today. You don't expect something

like this to happen on your doorstep. I feel for the families

of the police officers. They have gone to do an honest day's work and

look what has happened. This woman did not see events unfold, but says

she heard them. I did not here the gunshots, but I heard the bang. I

open my window and I could hear the helicopter. A church service will

be held tomorrow, as the community tries to come together. This is a

tragedy for the police officers and their families. But also a tragedy

for the community as often an event like this are as the community.

That is unfair on this neighbourhood. This church

overlooks the estate. The flag has been flying at half-mast. The heavy

police presence will be here for some time yet.

Our reporter mentioned the Church and we will be talking to the local

vicar later in the programme. We have had lots from the police today.

Everybody's thoughts here tonight are with those of the two officers

who died and their families. More from here later in the programme.

Now back to the studio for the rest of the day's news.

The first legal moves in the wake of the Hillsborough findings are

being made this week. Lawyers representing Anne Williams whose

son Kevin died in Sheffield are asking the Attorney General to

consider criminal proceedings, but don't believe that prosecutions

will be successful. It is always difficult with the

passage of time to get a just result looking at both sides of the

equation. I am not confident. I am confident there will be a new

inquest and some form of public inquiry.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the murder of a

couple in Greater Manchester in July. Bob and Patricia Seddon were

shot at their home in Sale. The couple's son, 45-year-old Stephen,

has already been charged with their murder.

A Lancashire MP says he has been given no guarantees about jobs

should BAE Systems merge with aircraft manufacturer EADS. Ben

Wallace, the MP for Wyre and Preston North met with the two

firms today to discuss the planned merger. Unions BAE officials said

the proposed deal would not affect existing projects.

It is claimed 10,000 jobs could be created in Lancashire over the next

decade if the UK exploits its shale gas resource. That is according to

the Institution of Mechanical Engineers who say alternative

energy sources need to be investigated. Campaigners claim the

process causes environmental damage. Plans to turn a former ship in

Liverpool into a floating bed-and- breakfast have been approved. The

Planet, which is at the city's Canning Dock, was built in the

1960s and guided vessels into and out of the River Mersey. The owner

will convert the ship into eight guest bedrooms and a bar.

Blackpool has one of the highest rates of deaths from liver disease

in the country. The North West Public Health Observatory found the

number of people who have died from the disease is three times higher

than the national average. Health officials say almost half of cases

are alcohol related and it paint a very poor picture of health.

Tony abused alcohol for 12 years. He tried to take his own life on

two separate occasions and his marriage ended in divorce. He has

overcome his addiction and now helps others to do the same. He is

not surprised Blackpool has a significant problem. A lot of

people seem to come to Blackpool to try and escape. They have ideas

that it has a holiday town, so you come here and there are no problems.

But that is not the case. Blackpool's rate of liver disease

death is almost 43 per 100,000. Compare that almost 24 for the

North West and 17 per 100,000 for the rest of England. More than 40%

of these deaths are alcohol-related and there has also been a big

increase in hospital admissions for liver disease. There is one of

licence for every 250 people here. That is driving competition and

leading to the availability of cheaper and cheaper alcohol.

Treatment centres have been expanded and specialist alcohol

nurses in hospitals and safe haven buses for revellers have been

introduced, but some say more can be done. We need to recognise that

price has an issue -- has an impact and so does marketing. Both of

those require government intervention. Today's report paints

a poor picture of liver health in the region. The tragedy is that

most of these deaths were avoidable. An MP is warning that dozens of

small rural schools in Cumbria could face closure because of

proposed changes to the way they are funded. Liberal Democrat Tim

Farron made his comments as the council set out its ideas.

John Ruskin High School in Coniston is small by anyone's measure.

Around 200 pupils. But they say it provides an invaluable service for

the local community. We are at the heart of the community and we bring

our heart to a community that is potentially a holiday village.

Government wants local authorities to change the way they distribute

money to schools to make the system fairer. Some schools will be better

off, but staff at John Ruskin say the proposals from Cumbria County

Council could leave them �180,000 a year worse off within three years.

We would try to look at the budget and see how we can make savings. In

a small school like this, we work on the brink all the time.

local MP, the Liberal Democrat Tim Farron, says Cumbria could lose

dozens of small rural schools if the changes go ahead. None of the

schools that would potentially be closed need to close. They are good

schools, some of them are outstanding. There is no question

that there anything other than completely viable, other than the

county council's rather peculiar funding formula. But the local

authority says that is nonsense. is irresponsible to suggest that 30

schools are going to close. We do not know that yet at all.

council has started consulting all schools to find out what they think

about the new proposals. Football now, and Manchester City

fans are hoping to enjoy their biggest European night for more

than 40 years when they play Real Madrid in the Champions League

tonight. The start of the group stage sees two of the world's

wealthiest clubs fighting for supremacy. Who will come out on

top? The English champions or the Spanish champions?

The battle of the big spenders. Mourinho versus Mancini. Real

Madrid's squad cost an estimated �408 million. Manchester City's,

�341 million. It is not just a clash of cash, you have to win the

mind games too. Mourinho got in first saying City will eventually

win the Champions League, but maybe without Mancini. If it is the

season are next season, sooner or later they can win the Cup.

Mourinho succeeded Mancini at Inter Milan, but the Italian is playing

down the rivalry with the man who named himself the special One. City

were knocked out of the competition early last season, and this season

their group's even harder. They not only face Real, but Ajax and

Borussia Dortmund too. I think we're more strong run last year.

But it will be very difficult for all of the teams. City could be

boosted by the possible return of Sergio Aguerro tonight. But Real

have real problems. They lost at the weekend and only have four

points from four La Liga matches. Mourinho may have had a wry smile

when City lost Carlos Tevez for half a season, but now Real's

biggest star Ronaldo is rocking the boat. He says he is sad at the

Bernabeu and wants �12 million a year.

Two controversial refereeing decisions denied Everton victory

over Newcastle at Goodison last night. The referee ruled out a goal

by Maroune Fellaini, claming it was offside. And later he failed to see

that a header from Victor Anichebe had crossed the line. Leighton

Baines and Anichebe twice put Everton ahead, but second-half

goals from Newcastle substitute goals from Newcastle substitute

Demba Ba made it 2-2 at the end. It has been lively today. We have

had some very good spells of sunshine and some heavy showers.

Temperatures have struggled. These are the showers from early this

afternoon. The heaviest showers are shown by a green. Look at the

temperatures, still quite miserable. If we are lucky, we might see 15

degrees on one of these days. Heading into the weekend, it looks

as if we might see some clear skies on Saturday. For this evening, the

rain continues to pile in. The heaviest showers will still cling

on to the coast. Some of them coming through the Cheshire Cat.

Were we have the clear skies, the temperatures will drop into low

single figures. There could be a touch of grass frost. Chilly start

tomorrow. There should be fewer showers. Tomorrow morning, we start

off with some showers floating. It is less breezy. More cloud around.

In between the showers, some spells of sunshine. Tomorrow, temperatures

will be similar to today. It will feel more mild. As we head into

thirsty, you can see the rain edging end across the West. That

rain will be light and persistent. Disappointing temperatures again.

Disappointing temperatures again. Friday will be drier but more cool.

Let's return to our main story. I don't know whether you believe in

symbolism of this type, but if you look at this guy, you can see two

rain bowls. -- the sky, you can see two rainbows. People are shot. You

do not expect to wake up to this. This was very alarming for many

people and was so before the even understood what was happening.

a community which has had knocks over the years, this is something

that they don't need. This is a great community. Everyone knows

each other. People are looking out for each other in difficult times.

You are new to the job. Is that what you have found over six

months? Very much. We have been made very welcome. People have made

a real effort to help us settle in. To have such an act perpetrated at

the centre of your community leaves people wondering why and how

someone can behave in such a manner. As Christians, we believe the world

has a broken place -- to world is a broken place and we can restore

things. But that does not takeaway from the tragedy and sadness on a

day like today. It is devastating for the families of those killed.

You have a special service tomorrow? Yes, we are joining with

another church and we will have a service of prayer for the families

and all those affected by the horrible events today. Thank you

for talking to us. This is an act which has shocked not just as

community, not just the city, but the whole of the nation. The