DALE CREGAN was last night charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack, police said.

The 29-year-old is also accused of killing father and son David and Mark Short in separate incidents earlier this year.

In addition, Cregan faces four charges of attempted murder.

The deaths of PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone following a bogus burglary call in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday, shocked the nation and has sparked an outpouring of sympathy across the country.

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 have today authorised the police to charge 29-year-old Dale Cregan with their murders and with the murders of Mark Short, who was killed at the Cotton Tree Inn, in Droylsden, on May 25, and David Short, who was killed at his home in Clayton, on August 10.

“Cregan has also been charged with the attempted murders of Michael Belcher, Ryan Pridding and John Short, on May 25, and Sharon Hark, on August 10.”

Sir Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, who was also at the press conference at the force’s headquarters, said: “I’d just like to say, this is a complex investigation and I would ask that anybody who has any information about the murders of our two officers or the other murders we have just been hearing about, that those people look at their conscience and come forward.”

The murder of the two officers provoked nationwide shock and outrage.

Sir Peter added: “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.”

Earlier yesterday, a man was arrested after a Facebook page was set up lauding Cregan as a “legend”.

Greater Manchester Police announced the arrest as officers continued to question Cregan on suspicion of murder.