Government blocks early release for killers of PC Andrew Harper

The change means that anyone convicted of unlawful killing, including all forms of manslaughter, will be excluded from the scheme. Two of PC Harper’s killers had been expected to become eligible for early release under the Government’s original plans.

The 28-year-old Thames Valley Police officer died in August 2019 after sustaining fatal injuries while responding to the theft of a quad bike near Sulhamstead in Berkshire. Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were both aged 17 at the time, were sentenced to 13 years in custody for manslaughter.

The announcement follows months of campaigning by PC Harper’s family and former colleagues, as well as intense pressure from policing and the public.

Aileen O’Connor, chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, said the Government had eventually “listened, seen sense and made the right decision”.

She said: “PC Andrew Harper made the ultimate sacrifice for the job that he loved, serving communities, serving society. His killers should never have been considered for early release. It remains shocking that they were.

“We are pleased that the Government – despite what was frankly initial reluctance – has eventually listened, seen sense and made the right decision to keep these lowlifes behind bars. They had no option.”

Ms O’Connor said the campaign had received unprecedented public and policing support. More than one million people had signed a petition against the proposed early release of PC Harper’s killers, while 50 chief constables across the UK had written an open letter calling on the Government to reconsider.

“The weight of public and policing opinion against such plans was overwhelming,” she said. “The fact that more than 1 million people signed our petition over this was a historic public backing for police officers. The fact 50 Chief Constables across the UK wrote an open letter calling for the Government to reconsider was unprecedented. The right and proper decision has been made.”

The Government has also confirmed that offenders serving sentences for indecent assault, all forms of manslaughter, death by dangerous driving, causing or allowing the death of a child and certain historic child sex offences will be excluded from the early release scheme.

The announcement also makes clear that offenders convicted of killing an emergency worker in the line of duty will not have their sentences shortened. The changes mean hundreds more offenders will remain in prison for longer.

Ms O’Connor said this meant the change would benefit other victims and families. “There is wider good news here that – as a result of our campaigning work – a wider collection of criminals will not be eligible for early release so there is better news today for many more families,” she said.