Fifty UK police chiefs urge prime minister to halt early release of PC Harper’s killers

Fifty police chiefs from across the United Kingdom have sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, urging the government to exhaust every legal avenue to prevent the early release of the teenagers convicted in the 2019 death of PC Andrew Harper.

PC Harper, a 28-year-old Thames Valley Police officer, died after being dragged behind a getaway car following a quad bike theft in Berkshire. Two of the men convicted of his manslaughter, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were sentenced to 13 years in 2020. Under recent legislative changes to manage severe prison overcrowding, both men are due to become eligible for release in January after serving half their sentences.

The intervention by police chiefs across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland supports Burnham’s recent declaration that he is confident a legal resolution can be found to halt their discharge. In Downing Street, officials reiterated that the government intends to do everything within its power to block the early release.

Beyond the specific case, the letter highlights broader concerns regarding public safety, victim impact, and officer morale. The police chiefs argued that reducing sentences for individuals involved in the deaths of emergency service personnel undermines the perceived sacrifice of officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public.

The police leaders called on the government to mandate explicit public protection reviews before amending release terms for offenders convicted of serious violence or causing death, while also ensuring bereaved families are formally consulted whenever significant sentencing changes are implemented.