Families of PC Bone and PC Hughes awarded new Elizabeth Emblem

Two Tameside police officers are among the first batch of people to be honoured with the new Elizabeth Emblem.

Created earlier in 2024, the award is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Medal and may be awarded to the next of kin of emergency workers killed while on or off duty. 

PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes were murdered by a gun and grenade attack in Mottram in September 2012.  

PCs Bone and Hughes are two of 39 posthumous recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem, a list that also includes WPC Yvonne Fletcher, who was shot during Libyan embassy siege in 1984, PC Andrew Harper, who was dragged for a mile behind a car in 2019, and Firefighter Fleur Lombard, the UK’s first female firefighter to die on duty during peacetime. 

“We will forever remember the heroism of PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes, who were tragically killed in 2012,” said a statement from Greater Manchester Police. “They dedicated their lives to serving their communities, and The Elizabeth Emblem will honour their dedication. 

“Their courage continues to inspire us every day.” 

Speaking to the PA news agency, Bryn Hughes – PC Hughes’s father - said, “I think it’s vitally important, not just for Nicola and Fiona and for other police officers, but all public sector workers who are killed or die in the line of duty or in operational circumstances. 

“It’s vitally important that they’re recognised and remembered.” 

Both Mr Hughes and PC Bone’s father, Paul Bone, met with Keir Starmer and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden at Downing Street on Wednesday to discuss their campaigning work. 

The Prime Minister told them that he “couldn’t imagine losing his children,” with Mr Bone replying, “Well, we didn’t actually imagine losing ours either, but once it’s happened, you’ve got to carry on’.”