The chair of the Thames Valley Police Federation has warned that an "exodus" of officers from police forces across the country is ongoing, urging the government to increase funding and support for policing. Aileen O'Connor, who led the campaign against the early release of the killers of PC Andrew Harper, stated that officers feel let down by the government and that issues faced by police daily need to be addressed.
"There's an exodus still happening across police forces in this country and they (the Government) really need to address that," O'Connor said. "We need to see the Government get behind policing. We need better funding. We need better support. And we need to make sure that we are treated fairly by this Government and address the issues that police officers face every single day."
O'Connor handed in a petition to Downing Street signed by over a million people, protesting the early release of Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, who were convicted in connection with PC Harper's death. Prime Minister Andy Burnham acknowledged the "anguish" of bereaved families but did not offer an apology following the decision to exclude those convicted of unlawful killing, including manslaughter and death by dangerous driving, from the early-release scheme.
"What I'd like the Prime Minister to realise is what it's like to be a police officer in this day and age, in 2026," O'Connor added. "Every ten minutes in the UK an officer is assaulted. Sometimes seriously assaulted, and sometimes they lose their lives."
Recent Home Office statistics indicate that over 39,000 reports of officer assaults were recorded in the year up to April 2025, resulting in nearly 16,200 officers being injured. O'Connor also called for a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system, including court procedures and sentencing, arguing that policing has historically received insufficient funding.
"Everything needs to be addressed, a root-and-branch review of the criminal justice system, the court system, sentencing, you name it, because what we've seen previously is funding for policing in this country has... we are always the last piece of the pie," she stated. "We always get the crumbs at the end, and that needs to change."
Plaid Cymru MP Ann Davies questioned in Parliament whether the Prime Minister would apologize to victims and their families for the distress caused by the early release program. Mr. Burnham responded by saying he understood their anguish and initiated changes to the scheme.