The widow of hero PC Andrew Harper has voiced strong condemnation of the Labour government's early prison release policy, following the announcement that two of her husband's killers are set to be freed from custody. Lissie Harper stated that the decision is "deplorable" and accused politicians of failing to acknowledge the suffering of victims' families.
PC Andrew Harper, a Thames Valley Police officer, was killed in August 2019 at the age of 28. He was dragged to his death by a car driven by Henry Long as Long and passengers Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers attempted to steal a quad bike. Long, the driver, received a 16-year sentence and is ineligible for the early release scheme. However, Cole and Bowers, who were 17 at the time of the offense, were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter and are expected to be released this year under the new Sentencing Act.
Mrs. Harper, who has campaigned for stronger laws protecting emergency workers since her husband's death, expressed that politicians are making decisions without fully understanding the lifelong consequences for victims' families. "It is deplorable to me that we have reached a point where releasing prisoners early is even considered acceptable," she said. She added that the move makes victims' families feel "forgotten" and undermines the justice system, particularly after cross-party support helped establish "Harper's Law," which mandates life sentences for those convicted of killing emergency workers. While Harper's Law was not retrospective for this case, it now applies to future convictions.
Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg echoed these concerns, stating that under Harper's Law, the individuals would have received life sentences, making their early release under the new legislation feel "wrong." He has formally communicated his opinion to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary, and Justice Secretary.
The planned early releases are part of the Labour government's Sentencing Act, designed to alleviate pressure on an overcrowded prison system. From September, the act will allow for the release of violent and sexual offenders after serving half their sentence, and other offenders after a third, if they demonstrate good behavior. Murderers are excluded from this provision as they receive mandatory life terms.
The decision has drawn criticism from various quarters. Aileen O'Connor, chair of the Thames Valley Police Federation, stated that the killers should remain behind bars and that police officers nationwide would be "disgusted" by the prospect of their release. Nick Timothy, the Conservative party's shadow justice secretary, called on Labour to halt the release of such offenders, citing their commitment not to reduce sentences for heinous crimes.
Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman, has welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment to review the early release policy before the first releases in September, noting a lack of confidence that the current plans adequately safeguard victims and public confidence in the justice system.
Debbie Adlam, PC Harper's mother, described the prospect of early release as an "insult beyond anything able to be put into words" and felt it was akin to people receiving a "free pass for crime."
Separately, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting faced criticism for overheard remarks where he suggested the Justice Secretary "wants to let them all out." Streeting later apologized, stating the comment was an offhand joke and that there was no ill intent. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has since deemed the comments unacceptable.