A police chief today defended the decision to bail the man being questioned over the murder of two policewomen.
Greater Manchester Police has faced criticism for releasing Dale Cregan three months ago after questioning him over gun and grenade attacks that killed a father and son. Cregan, 29, disappeared after he was bailed in June, triggering a manhunt involving 50 police raids and detectives watching ports and airports in a huge operation that cost millions of pounds.
However, Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said in a statement today: “It is absolutely normal in the course of complex crime inquiries that when people are arrested there are occasions where there is insufficient evidence available for them to be charged.
“In those circumstances suspects have to be released on bail as there are strict time limits covering how long suspects can be held in custody without charge.
“That is exactly what happened in this case.”
Cregan was arrested yesterday following the deaths of Pc Fiona Bone and Pc Nicola Hughes. One of Britain’s most wanted men, Cregan was being sought by police in connection with the killings of father and son David and Mark Short.
In June he was arrested after returning to Britain on a flight from Thailand on suspicion of murdering Mark Short in a pub in the Droylsden area of Manchester.
