Prime Minister Andy Burnham has instructed the Justice Secretary to identify a method for preventing the early release of the men responsible for killing PC Andrew Harper. Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who received 13-year sentences for manslaughter in 2020, currently qualify for release under a government initiative intended to reduce prison overcrowding. While officials initially claimed it was impossible to exclude individual offenders, the Prime Minister remains committed to finding a viable solution.
PC Harper was killed in 2019 while attempting to stop a theft in Berkshire. His widow, Lissie Harper, has been vocal in opposing the early release of his attackers, noting that they were eligible to be freed after serving only half of their sentences. A third individual involved, Henry Long, is ineligible for this scheme due to the nature of his original sentencing. The government is now exploring options to ensure serious offenders remain incarcerated, as public pressure mounts through petitions and advocacy from groups like the Thames Valley Police Federation.
