Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg is exploring the possibility of supporting legal efforts to prevent the early release of two individuals convicted in the death of PC Andrew Harper. Hogg stated he is currently consulting with the Police Federation regarding the situation, emphasizing that the public sentiment strongly opposes their potential liberation.
PC Harper tragically died in 2019 after being dragged by a vehicle while attempting to stop suspects fleeing a quad bike theft in Berkshire. While the driver, Henry Long, is serving a 16-year sentence and is ineligible for early release, the passengers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter and are currently eligible for release after completing half their term.
Hogg argued that individuals responsible for taking a life should not be granted early release, despite the current strain on the prison system. Although Harper’s Law was later enacted to impose mandatory life sentences for killing emergency workers, it does not apply retroactively to these offenders. Justice Minister Jake Richards maintained that it would be inappropriate and legally problematic to intervene in specific cases, as the government faces a severe capacity crisis that necessitates the release of certain prisoners starting in October.
