Christian organisations from across the country are urging churches to observe a minute silence this weekend in remembrance of two police officers killed in Manchester this week.

PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone were killed in a gun and grenade attack during a bogus burglary call in Greater Manchester on Tuesday.

In a story that has shocked the country, Redeeming Our Communities is bringing Christian organisations – including the Evangelical Alliance – together to promote a one-minute silence at 11am this Sunday (23 September) and next Sunday (30 September).

On Thursday, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that it had authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Dale Cregan, 29, with the two police murders, as well as the killing of David and Mark Short, a father and son, in a separate incident.

He is due to appear before Manchester City Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Nazir Afzal, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "The CPS and Greater Manchester Police are absolutely determined to deliver justice for those who have been killed and for their families, and we will continue working closely during the ongoing investigations into these deaths."

Debra Green, of ROC, said: “The whole nation is feeling the impact of the tragic loss of two police officers, Nicola and Fiona. Our charity has been working in partnership with the police since 1998 and we feel prompted to do something to express our support at this time.”

The Evangelical Alliance, HOPE and Premier Christian Radio are among those joining in ROC’s call to prayer and remembrance.
Steve Clifford, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, said: “As the story broke, the circumstances surrounding the murder of two police women, going about their everyday, normal work has shocked the nation. As a Church this is a great opportunity for us to pray for the men and women who make up our police force and to say thank you for their service.”
Debra added: “If you plan to hold a one-minute silence either this Sunday or next, register that you are taking part so we can show the police how much we appreciate them in what has been described as their darkest hour.”

Resources are being prepared to help you to take part in this act of prayer. Please register at www.roc.uk.com/prayer and join the Facebook event to keep up with the latest news.