Dale Cregan has been charged with the murders of Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, police said on Thursday evening.
Cregan was also charged with the murders of father and son David and Mark Short in separate incidents earlier in the year. In addition, Cregan faces three charges of attempted murder.
The 29-year-old is due to appear at Manchester magistrates’ court on Friday.
The deaths of Pcs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone during a bogus burglary call in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday shocked the nation and has elicited an outpouring of sympathy across the country.
Police said a 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, in relation to the deaths of the two officers, remains in police custody for questioning.
Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "The tragic events this week in which Police Constables Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes lost their lives in the line of duty have shocked and appalled the whole country.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my sympathies to their families, friends and to all their colleagues in Greater Manchester Police on their very sad loss."
Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy, said: “This remains a complex investigation and the fact we have charged someone does not mean the investigation is complete.
“We still have someone in custody and people on bail and there is still a lot of work to be done.
“We have been touched by the many thousands of messages received from the public who are as shocked as we are and I want to thank them for their support over the last few days.
“We will continue our high visibility presence in the Hattersley area and I would urge anyone who has any information about what happened on Tuesday morning or in the lead up to it they must do the right and just thing and contact us."
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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.
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Posted: 20/09/2012 19:33 Updated: 20/09/2012 19:55