Police 'grateful' over PC Harper killers' jail terms

Police leaders have welcomed the government's decision that two of PC Andrew Harper's killers will be barred from an early release from prison.

Harper, from Wallingford, Oxfordshire, died in August 2019 when the Thames Valley Police (TVP) officer was dragged by a car as three teenagers, including Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, fled a quad bike theft in Berkshire.

More than one million people signed a petition calling for the pair to remain behind bars after it emerged they could be released as part of a plan to reduce prison overcrowding.

Aileen O'Connor, the TVP's Federation chair, started the petition and said she was "grateful" for the new certainty over Bowers and Cole's sentences.

At the weekend, prime minister Andy Burnham said anyone convicted of unlawful killing, including all forms of manslaughter, will be excluded from the government's early release scheme.

Hundreds of inmates will be detained for longer, meaning more prison space will need to be found with 97% of cells in England and Wales currently being used.

O'Connor said Bowers and Cole's release should never have been a possibility, following weeks of uncertainty.

"It was a long time coming and actually it should have been sorted weeks ago quite frankly," she said.

"Andrew went to work that day and never returned home and he was killed for swearing an oath to serve the public of the Thames Valley.

"Police officers up and down the country every day run towards danger and sometimes they put their lives on the line. Sometimes unfortunately they lose their lives in the line of duty and more has to be done to protect the protectors."

TVP's Chief Constable Jason Hogg said on Monday that he was grateful that the government had responded to concerns over Bowers and Cole's potential release.

"Andrew's death had a profound impact on those who knew him and the communities he served but also the men and women who serve in policing," he said.

"I'm very grateful that the concerns we raised were listened to and have been properly considered by the government.

"The public would expect people who commit serious crime to serve a considerable length of time in custody so justice can be seen to be done."