Greater Manchester Police held a minute's silence on Wednesday in memory of two of their officers who were killed in a grenade and gun attack.

Pcs Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, were killed on Tuesday after they were called to investigate what appeared to be a routine burglary report. Pc Hughes's family said she had died doing "the job she loved".

Fellow officers and civilian staff at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) remembered their fallen colleagues at 11am as tributes continue to pour in for the women.

greater manchester police

Officers hold a minute's silence near the site of the officers' deaths

Home secretary Theresa May is to meet GMP chief constable Sir Peter Fahy later on Wednesday - it is understood she has cut short her holiday in the wake of yesterday's murders.

Soon after the two policewomen died, one of the country's most wanted men, Dale Cregan, gave himself up to police.

He had been questioned and bailed in connection with the murder of Mark Short, 23, who was shot dead in a Manchester pub in May.

greater manchester police

Police lay flowers at the scene where two female officers were killed

Short's father, David, 46, who had branded his son's killer "a coward", was murdered in a gun and grenade attack at his home in August.

Cregan was wanted for questioning over both killings.

In a statement, Pc Hughes's family said: "When she left the house this morning she was going to the job she loved.

greater manchester police

Dozens of tributes have been left for the fallen officers

"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.

"Nicola was only 23 years old and had the whole of her life in front of her.

"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."

greater manchester police

The officers' commander said Tuesday was one of the force's "darkest days"

At a press conference after the deaths, Sir Peter said it was one of the "darkest days" in the history of the force.

He told reporters: "Clearly we are devastated today by the loss of two of our officers.

"This is one of the darkest days in the history of the Greater Manchester Police, if not for the police service overall, because we have lost two deeply-loved and valued colleagues, because they are part of our team. Policing is very much a family."

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  • Manchester shootings

    Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Dale Cregan at Manchester Crown Court where he is accused of four murders including the shooting and grenade attack that killed two policewomen.

  • BRITAIN-POLICE-CRIME-SHOOTING

    A British armed police unit secures the area as he waits for the police van believed to be transporting Dale Cregan, the man charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack, to leave Manchester magistrates court in Manchester, north-west England on September 21, 2012. Female police officers Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, were killed as they responded to what they thought was a routine burglary call in Tameside, Greater Manchester, northwestern England, on September 18. Cregan, who is also accused of killing father and son David and Mark Short in separate incidents earlier this year, has been charged with four counts of murder, Greater Manchester Police said. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/GettyImages)

  • BRITAIN-POLICE-CRIME-SHOOTING

    The police van believed to be transporting Dale Cregan, the man charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack, leaves Manchester magistrates court in Manchester, north-west England on September 21, 2012. Female police officers Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, were killed as they responded to what they thought was a routine burglary call in Tameside, Greater Manchester, northwestern England, on September 18. Cregan, who is also accused of killing father and son David and Mark Short in separate incidents earlier this year, has been charged with four counts of murder, Greater Manchester Police said. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/GettyImages)

  • BRITAIN-POLICE-CRIME-SHOOTING

    The police van believed to be transporting suspect Dale Cregan, the man charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack, leaves Manchester magistrates court in Manchester, north-west England on September 21, 2012. Female police officers Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, were killed as they responded to what they thought was a routine burglary call in Tameside, Greater Manchester, northwestern England, on September 18. Cregan, who is also accused of killing father and son David and Mark Short in separate incidents earlier this year, has been charged with four counts of murder, Greater Manchester Police said. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Manchester shootings

    A police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan leaves Manchester Magistrates Court, Manchester, where he appeared accused of four murders including the shooting and grenade attack that killed two policewomen.

  • Manchester shootings

    Armed police on the streets as a police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan (not pictured) leaves Manchester Magistrates Court, Manchester, where he appeared accused of four murders including the shooting and grenade attack that killed two policewomen.

  • Manchester shootings

    A police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan arrives at HMP Manchester Prison, Manchester, after he appeared at Manchester Crown Court accused of four murders including the shooting and grenade attack that killed two policewomen.

  • Manchester shootings

    Armed police stand guard as a police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan (not pictured) arrives at HMP Manchester Prison, Manchester, after he appeared at Manchester Crown Court accused of four murders including the shooting and grenade attack that killed two policewomen.

  • Manchester shootings

    Armed police stand guard as a police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan (not pictured) arrives at HMP Manchester Prison, Manchester, after he appeared at Manchester Crown Court accused of four murders including the shooting and grenade attack that killed two policewomen.

  • Dale Cregan Appears At Manchester City Magistrates' Court To Face Murder Charges

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: A police officer stands guard as Dale Cregan arrives in an armed convoy to face charges of murder and attempted murder at Manchester City Magistrates' Court on September 21, 2012 in Manchester, England. Dale Cregan, 29, stands accused of four murders, including PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone on September 18, and also in two separate attacks earlier this year of Mark Short and his father David Short. Cregan is also being charged with an additional four counts of attempted murder. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Dale Cregan Appears At Manchester City Magistrates' Court To Face Murder Charges

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Police officers stand guard as Dale Cregan arrives in an armed convoy to face charges of murder and attempted murder at Manchester City Magistrates' Court on September 21, 2012 in Manchester, England. Dale Cregan, 29, stands accused of four murders, including PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone on September 18, and also in two separate attacks earlier this year of Mark Short and his father David Short. Cregan is also being charged with an additional four counts of attempted murder. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Dale Cregan Appears At Manchester City Magistrates' Court To Face Murder Charges

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: A police officer stands guard as Dale Cregan arrives in an armed convoy to face charges of murder and attempted murder at Manchester City Magistrates' Court on September 21, 2012 in Manchester, England. Dale Cregan, 29, stands accused of four murders, including PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone on September 18, and also in two separate attacks earlier this year of Mark Short and his father David Short. Cregan is also being charged with an additional four counts of attempted murder. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Dale Cregan Appears At Manchester City Magistrates' Court To Face Murder Charges

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Police officers stand guard as Dale Cregan arrives in an armed convoy to face charges of murder and attempted murder at Manchester City Magistrates' Court on September 21, 2012 in Manchester, England. Dale Cregan, 29, stands accused of four murders, including PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone on September 18, and also in two separate attacks earlier this year of Mark Short and his father David Short. Cregan is also being charged with an additional four counts of attempted murder. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Manchester shootings

    A police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan arrives at Manchester Magistrates Court, Manchester, where he will appear charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack.

  • Manchester shootings

    An armed police officer guards the streets near Manchester Magistrates Court, Manchester, where Dale Cregan will appear charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack.

  • Manchester shootings

    An armed police officer guards the streets near Manchester Magistrates Court, Manchester, where Dale Cregan will appear charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack.

  • Manchester shootings

    A police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan arrives at Manchester Magistrates Court, Manchester, where he will appear charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack.

  • Police Officers Killed While Responding To Burglary Call In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Candles burn in remembrance of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone during a service at Saint Barnabas Church, Hattersley on September 19, 2012 in Manchester, England. Local man Dale Cregan, 29, has been arrested in connection with the shooting of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were killed as they responded to a routine incident at Abbey Gardens in Hattersley shortly before 11am yesterday. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Police Officers Killed While Responding To Burglary Call In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Candles burn in remembrance of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone during a service at Saint Barnabas Church, Hattersley on September 19, 2012 in Manchester, England. Local man Dale Cregan, 29, has been arrested in connection with the shooting of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were killed as they responded to a routine incident at Abbey Gardens in Hattersley shortly before 11am yesterday. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Police Officers Killed While Responding To Burglary Call In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Reverends Lesley Harding and James Halstead conduct a service of remembrance for WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone at Saint Barnabas Church, Hattersley on September 19, 2012 in Manchester, England. Local man Dale Cregan, 29, has been arrested in connection with the shooting of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were killed as they responded to a routine incident at Abbey Gardens in Hattersley shortly before 11am yesterday. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Police Officers Killed While Responding To Burglary Call In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Members of the public bring floral tributes in memory of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone in Hattersley on September 19, 2012 in Manchester, England. Local man Dale Cregan, 29, has been arrested in connection with the shooting of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were killed as they responded to a routine incident at Abbey Gardens in Hattersley shortly before 11am yesterday. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • BRITAIN-POLICE-CRIME-SHOOTING

    Flowers are left at the headquaters of Greater Manchester Police in Manchester, northwest England, to pay respect to two female police officers who were killed while responding to a call out to the Hattersley Estate in Mottram in Greater Manchester. A top British policeman warned on September 19 against rushing into any move to routinely arm officers after two unarmed policewomen were killed in a gun and grenade attack. Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, died after going to investigate a reported robbery on September 18. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/GettyImages)

  • BRITAIN-POLICE-CRIME-SHOOTING

    Flowers are left at the headquaters of Greater Manchester Police in Manchester, northwest England, to pay respect to two female police officers who were killed while responding to a call out to the Hattersley Estate in Mottram in Greater Manchester. A top British policeman warned on September 19 against rushing into any move to routinely arm officers after two unarmed policewomen were killed in a gun and grenade attack. Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, died after going to investigate a reported robbery on September 18. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Manchester shootings

    Police forensic officers search the scene of a shooting in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, as two unarmed female police officers have died after attending a "routine incident" which led to the arrest of one of the country's most wanted men.

  • Manchester shootings

    Forensic officers at the scene close to where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    A Greater Manchester Police officer lays flowers at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    A Greater Manchester Police officer lays flowers at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Greater Manchester Police officers observe a minute's silence near to the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Amy (surname not given) leaves a floral tribute at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Amy (surname not given) leaves a floral tribute at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • PC Nicola Hughes killed in Manchester

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • PC Fiona Bone killed in Manchester

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.