Police leaders demand action to prevent early release of PC Harper's killers
Fifty policing and law-enforcement leaders from across the UK have called on the Prime Minister to use every lawful option to prevent the early release of the men convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper.
In an open letter to Andy Burnham, the senior leaders also called for stronger protections for victims and communities when changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements.
The intervention comes as the Government considers how to prevent Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, who were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter over PC Harper’s death, from being released early under plans intended to ease pressure on the prison estate.
The pair are currently due to become eligible for release in January. The Prime Minister has instructed Justice Secretary Alex Norris to examine options for keeping them in prison and has said he is increasingly confident that this can be achieved.
The policing leaders said the case raised a wider question about public confidence in sentences where subsequent changes to release arrangements could result in offenders being released significantly earlier than originally anticipated.
They said there was “a profound strength of feeling across policing” about the prospect of those responsible for PC Harper’s death benefiting from the changes.
“Officers and staff understand that the law must be applied as it stands,” they said. “But they will question what message this sends about the value placed on their service and sacrifice when they put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.”
The leaders called for three measures. First, they want every lawful option examined to determine whether the early release of PC Harper’s killers can be prevented. Second, they called for an additional public-protection safeguard when future changes to sentencing or release arrangements are considered.
Under their proposal, cases involving a death, exceptionally serious violence or an ongoing risk to individuals or communities should be subject to explicit consideration of public protection, victim impact and community safety before release arrangements are amended.
They said the same principle should apply to serious offences involving a continuing risk of harm, including serious violence against women and girls, stalking and harassment.
Finally, the leaders called for victims and bereaved families to be properly considered whenever significant changes are made to sentencing or release policy.
The letter said such changes should take account of their potential impact on victims, public protection, policing and confidence in the justice system.
The signatories include chief constables and commissioners from forces across the UK, alongside senior leaders from the National Crime Agency, British Transport Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, Ministry of Defence Police and State of Jersey Police.
The leaders said the Government’s response to the Harper case provided an opportunity not only to examine how his killers could be prevented from being released early, but also to establish safeguards so similar concerns did not arise in future.