Head of operations Dewi Rose (left) and Chief Inspector Steve Corcoran make a statement near to the property in Cwmbran, south east Wales, where Kim Buckley, 46, her 17-year-old daughter Kayleigh Buckley and her six-month-old grand-daughter Kimberley Buckley died after a suspected arson attack. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 18, 2012. Emergency crews were called to a blaze at Tillsland, Coed Eva, Cwmbran, south Wales at 3.30am today. See PA story POLICE Fire. Photo credit should read: Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Two unarmed female police officers were killed while attending a “routine incident” today which led to the arrest of one of the country’s most wanted men.

Dale Cregan gave himself up to police soon after the incident, in Hattersley, Greater Manchester Police said.

Cregan, 29, was being hunted in connection with separate gun and grenade attacks that killed a father and son.

One of the officers died at the scene. The second was critically injured and died afterwards.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, said: “A long and dark shadow has been cast across Greater Manchester and my thoughts are with the officers’ family, friends and colleagues.

“We will be doing everything we can to support them over the coming days and weeks.”

Cregan had been the subject of a huge manhunt after the murders of David Short, 46, and his son Mark, 23.

A £50,000 reward had been offered for information leading to the arrest of one-eyed Cregan.

David Short was killed at his home in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, Manchester, on August 10, while Mark was gunned down at the Cotton Tree pub in nearby Droylsden, on May 25.

A gunman walked into the pub and fired shots which injured three other men.

A post-mortem examination showed Mark Short died from a gunshot wound to the neck.