Manchester police murders: Boy aged 15 arrested Published duration 21 September 2012

image caption PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes were killed on Tuesday

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the murders of two police officers in Greater Manchester.

Police said the boy, who was detained in Hattersley on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been bailed until next Thursday.

Earlier, Dale Cregan, 29, appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court, charged with the murders of PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone.

Mr Cregan is also charged with the murders of Mark Short and David Short.

PCs Hughes and Bone died after they were called to reports of a burglary in Hattersley on Tuesday.

Armed police

Mark Short, 23, died from a gunshot wound to the neck after a shooting in the Cotton Tree Inn in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, on 25 May.

His father David, 46, was found dead at a house in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, Greater Manchester, on 10 August after police were called following reports of gunshots.

media caption Armed police were present in court during the hearing

Armed police surrounded the magistrates' court on Friday morning before Mr Cregan's appearance.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Manchester Crown Court on Monday.

Mr Cregan also faces four counts of attempted murder. Three of the charges relate to the pub shooting. The fourth relates to the attack in Clayton.