More than half a million individuals have signed a petition urging the Government to take measures to ensure that the individuals responsible for the death of PC Andrew Harper remain incarcerated.
Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were found guilty of manslaughter in 2020 in connection with the tragic incident involving Thames Valley Police officer PC Andrew Harper in 2019.
Recent changes to sentencing regulations are expected to result in about 5,000 early releases, a decrease from the initial estimate of 6,000, as certain offenders, such as rapists and serious child sex offenders, have been excluded from the scheme aimed at addressing prison overcrowding. However, Cole and Bowers are still eligible for potential release halfway through their 13-year prison terms.
On the other hand, Henry Long, the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident, received a 16-year sentence and is not eligible for early release under the government scheme. The decision not to exempt Cole and Bowers from the program has sparked frustration and disappointment among PC Harper’s family.
Both Conservative and Labour administrations have utilized early release initiatives to alleviate prison overcrowding. According to the Institute for Government, men’s prisons in the UK are currently operating at around 97% capacity, a slight decrease from the 99% capacity recorded in the summer of 2024.
PC Harper, aged 28, lost his life while responding to a theft report near Stanford Dingley in Berkshire on August 15, 2019. He pursued the suspects in a SEAT Toledo towing a stolen quad bike and tragically got entangled in a strap used to tow the vehicle, leading to his death.
Following the outcry over Bowers and Cole’s eligibility for early release, a petition was initiated by Aileen O’Connor, chair of the Thames Valley Police Federation, expressing deep concerns about the decision and its impact on PC Harper’s family and the policing community.
Lissie Harper, the widow of PC Harper, has called on the government to support the petition, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that justice is served and that individuals responsible for such serious crimes do not return to the streets.
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