Petition against PC Andrew Harper’s killers hits 1 million

As of this morning, the online petition set up by Aileen O’Connor, chairwoman of Thames Valley Police Federation, had reached more than one million signatures.

It calls for the early release of Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole to be blocked, with the duo set to be let out of jail halfway through their 13-year sentences.

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This is because of government plans for early releases designed to tackle overcrowding in jails.

The prosect of their release has prompted widespread condemnation of the scheme in which some 5,000 people are expected to be let out early under sentencing changes, down from 6,000 after ministers exempted rapists and “serious” child sex offenders.

Responding to the uproar, Mr Burnham said he “wouldn’t forgive myself” if he did not try to lessen the “anguish” of the officer’s family.

Andrew Harper (Image: Thames Valley Police/PA Wire)

In an interview with LBC, he said: “I am turning over every stone. I am looking at everything. I am pushing the system to go further.”

Mr Burnham has ordered Justice Secretary Alex Norris to draw up plans to free up prison space for serious offenders, and said he is “increasingly confident” PC Harper’s killers will not be released early from their sentences as a result.

PC Harper, who was from Wallingford, was fatally injured in the line of duty when he got caught in a strap attached to the back of a car and was dragged down a country road as the killers fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in 2019.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (Image: Jack Taylor/PA Wire)

As well as the petition, a letter from 50 police chiefs and other law enforcement leaders also called on the Prime Minister to “establish an additional public protection safeguard” for the most serious offenders, when future early release schemes are floated.

The leaders, who included Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, Greater Manchester Chief Constable Stephen Watson and National Crime Agency Director General Graeme Biggar, said families and victims “must be properly considered whenever significant changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements”.

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Their letter said: “When the state asks people to run towards danger on behalf of the public, they should be able to trust that the justice system will stand behind them when the worst happens.

“PC Andrew Harper’s case also raises a wider question.

“When someone is sentenced for an exceptionally serious offence, how much confidence can victims, bereaved families and the public place in that sentence if subsequent changes to release arrangements result in an offender being released significantly earlier than originally anticipated?”