One million sign petition against early release of PC Andrew Harper's killers
Community and police call for justice over police officer's death
Last updated 7 hours ago
A petition to prevent the early release of PC Andrew Harper's murderers has surpassed one million signatures.
PC Harper died in 2019 in Berkshire after being dragged for over a mile when his ankle got caught in a getaway car's towrope while responding to a burglary report.
Recent changes to sentencing could allow up to 5,000 prisoners early release.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has directed the Justice Secretary to ensure PC Harper's killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, remain incarcerated despite the policy's implementation in October.
Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, are set to be released next year halfway through their 13-year sentences, after being convicted of manslaughter in 2020.
Before this year’s Sentencing Act, they would have served two-thirds of their term.
The change.org petition calling for their continued imprisonment has received 1,002,345 signatures.
Earlier this week when asked what he would directly say to Ms Harper, Mr Burnham replied: “That I hear you, I feel for you. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t do everything I possibly could to try and lessen your anguish, and I am doing that.
“I am turning over every stone. I am looking at everything. I am pushing the system to go further.”
Mr Burnham has come under pressure from 50 policing leaders from across the UK to use “every lawful option” to prevent the early release of Pc Harper’s killers.
A letter from chief constables 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, also said families and victims “must be properly considered whenever significant changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements”.