Police chiefs call for PM to prevent early release of PC Harper's killers

Fifty police chiefs have signed a letter urging the prime minister to pursue "every legal option" to prevent the early release of PC Andrew Harper's killers.

PC Harper, 28, died in 2019 when he was dragged behind the getaway car of three teenagers who had fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Berkshire.

The intervention comes shortly after Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was "confident" the early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers in January could be prevented.

The letter welcomed the prime minister's intervention, adding: "This provides an opportunity not only to examine every lawful avenue in PC Andrew Harper's case, but to ensure similar concerns do not arise again."

In response to Monday's open letter, Downing Street pointed to earlier comments made by Burnham where he said he would do "everything in his power" to prevent the early release of Cole and Bowers.

The police chiefs from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland also called for greater consideration of victims when prisoners have their sentences altered - such as with the government's early release scheme, which was designed to reduce prison overcrowding.

Under changes to the Sentencing Act made this year, Cole and Bowers, who were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter in 2020, will become eligible for release from custody after serving half of their sentences.

In the letter, released on Tuesday evening, police chiefs said the early release of PC Harper's killers, and that of anyone involved in the death of an officer, could cast doubt over the "value placed on their service and sacrifice when they put themselves in harm's way to protect others".

They outlined three requests of the prime minister, beginning with pursuing "every lawful option to determine whether the earlier release of those responsible for PC Andrew Harper's death can be prevented" - which Burnham has already pledged to do.

Second, they called on the government to put greater consideration into the crimes committed by prisoners when altering their sentences.

They wrote: "Where an offender has caused a death, committed exceptionally serious violence, or presents an ongoing risk to individuals or communities, there should be explicit consideration of public protection, victim impact and community safety before release arrangements are amended.

"This is not simply a question of punishment. It is a question of ensuring that public protection, victim confidence and community safety remain central to decisions that may substantially reduce the time an offender spends in custody."

Lastly, the letter called for victims and bereaved families to be "properly considered whenever significant changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements".

Around 5,000 people are expected to be released under the early release scheme, down from 6,000 after exemptions were previously announced for those convicted of the most serious crimes including rape, child sex offences and grooming.

The third man jailed for the manslaughter of PC Harper - the vehicle driver Henry Long - was given a longer 16-year jail term. Because he received what is called an extended determinate sentence at the time, he cannot be considered for this early release scheme.

This intervention from police chiefs comes after the mother of PC Harper told the BBC a phone call from Downing Street "gave her hope" Cole and Bowers could remain behind bars.

After speaking to a senior No 10 official, Debbie Adlam said she had been told the prime minister wanted to do "everything he can" to find a resolution to prevent the release of Cole and Bowers this January.

Adlam told BBC Breakfast: "For me, it's hope, but I can't afford to be too hopeful."

She added she was not looking for a "special case" for her son, but wanted the killers of all emergency workers to be exempt from the early release scheme.