All four Yorkshire police forces have added their names to a letter from 50 chief constables and other law enforcement leaders urging the Prime Minister to prevent the early release of two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers.
West Yorkshire’s Chief Constable John Robins, North Yorkshire’s Tim Forber, South Yorkshire’s Lauren Poultney and Humberside’s Chris Todd are among the signatories, alongside the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and chief constables from across the UK.
PC Harper, 28, was killed on 15 August 2019 while responding to a report of a burglary in progress in Berkshire. Two of those convicted of his manslaughter in 2020 received 13-year sentences; the public outcry that followed led to Harper’s Law, making life sentences mandatory for anyone convicted of manslaughter of an on-duty emergency worker while committing another crime. The Government confirmed on 10 August that two of those responsible remain eligible for early release.
Impact on victims
The letter asks the Government to examine every lawful option to prevent that release, give full weight to Harper’s Law, and establish safeguards ensuring future changes to sentencing or release arrangements properly consider the impact on victims, bereaved families and public protection.
Thames Valley Chief Constable Jason Hogg, whose force Harper served, said: “It has been a very challenging few weeks for Andrew’s family.” He added that the letter reflects the strength of feeling shared across police and law enforcement leaders nationwide.
The intervention comes as the seventh anniversary of Harper’s death approaches, and alongside continued pressure from the Thames Valley Police Federation and Thames Valley’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
