One of Britain’s most wanted men is believed to have lured two unarmed female constables to their deaths in Manchester today.
Dale Cregan is thought to have made a bogus burglary report then attacked the officers, opening fire with a gun and a grenade.
Greater Manchester Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said named the "brave" officers as Fiona Bone (32), and Nicola Hughes, (23).
"It would appear Cregan has deliberately done this in an act of cold-blooded murder," he said, adding that Cregan's motive for the attack was "impossible to fathom".
Cregan (29), who only has one eye, was being hunted in connection with separate gun and grenade attacks that killed a father and son.
After the attack, the fugitive gave himself up at Hyde police station in Grreater Manchester.
Eyewitnesses said a hail of bullets was fired and a grenade was used during the attack in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, shortly before 11am. One of the officers died at the scene. The second was critically injured and died later.
In a statement, police said: "A short time later, 29-year-old Dale Cregan was arrested after he walked into a police station in Tameside.
"Cregan has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder in relation to the investigations into the murders of David Short and Mark Short. He has also been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a police officer."
A £50,000 reward had been offered for information leading to the arrest of Cregan, who police wanted to speak to about the murders of David Short (46), and his son Mark (23).
David Short was killed at his home in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, on August 10th, while Mark was shot at the Cotton Tree pub in Droylsden on May 25th. A gunman walked into the pub and fired shots which injured three other men.
Four men have been charged in connection with his murder and are due to enter pleas at Manchester Crown Court in November.
Earlier this month, a 33-year-old man appeared at Manchester Crown Court charged with the gun and grenade murder of David Short.
The killings sparked horror across the UK today.
Prime minister David Cameron described it as "a shocking reminder of the debt we owe to those who put themselves in danger to keep us safe and secure".
The president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, Sir Hugh Orde, said it was "deeply sad news" for the police service.
PA