Andy Burnham is ‘increasingly confident’ the killers of PC Andrew Harper will not be released early, but an open letter has demanded drastic changes and stronger protections
An open letter signed by 50 police and law enforcement leaders from across Britain has demanded PC Andrew Harper’s killers remain locked up.
In an unpresented move, dozens of high-ranking officers have written to the Prime Minister with three key demands, as Andy Burnham comes under increasing pressure from victims’ families not to allow Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers – sentenced to 13 years for the cop’s manslaughter in 2020 – to be freed in January.
The new PM has ordered an urgent review into the controversial plan. A change was expected to sentencing rules from October 1, meaning most adults serving a standard prison sentence would be released earlier than the date originally set. Prisoners convicted of less serious offences were also expected to leave jail after a third of their sentence.
Mr Burnham said he is “increasingly confident” the killers of PC Harper will not be released early, but that hasn’t stopped the open letter being published. Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson and Commissioner Pete O’Doherty were just two of the officials to put their name to it.
They asked the Government to consider three measures, and wanted every lawful option examined to determine whether the earlier release of those responsible for the PC’s death could be prevented.
They also wanted additional public protection safeguarding to be established in cases involving the most serious offenders whenever future changes to sentencing on release arrangements are considered.
Thirdly, they demanded victims and bereaved families must be “properly considered” whenever significant changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris has been tasked by Mr Burnham with finding ways to keep the serious offenders in prison.
The letter read: “Dear Prime Minister, We welcome your intervention regarding the potential earlier release of those responsible for the death of PC Andrew Harper, and your instruction to the Justice Secretary to examine what can lawfully be done.
“When the state asks people to run towards danger on behalf of the public, they should be able to trust that the justice system will stand behind them when the worst happens. PC Andrew Harper’s case also raises a wider question.
“When someone is sentenced for an exceptionally serious offence, how much confidence can victims, bereaved families and the public place in that sentence if subsequent changes to release arrangements result in an offender being released significantly earlier than originally anticipated? This question extends far beyond policing.
“Families across the country are now facing the distress of learning that offenders may be released earlier than they understood when sentence was passed. We do not suggest that the grief of a police family is greater than that of any other bereaved family, nor that the life of an emergency worker has greater value.
“Our concern is for all victims and families affected by serious offending sentencing changes. PC Andrew Harper lost his life while protecting the public and serving his community. Following his death, Lissie Harper campaigned for a change in the law, leading Parliament to establish Harper’s Law, recognising the exceptional risks emergency workers take while protecting others.
“Police officers and staff see first-hand the impact serious crime has on victims and their families. They support people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives and ask them to place their trust in the justice system. That trust is vital and should not be weakened.
“We are also collectively concerned that an approach to early release which does not sufficiently distinguish the most serious offending risks undermining public safety, victim confidence and wider confidence in the criminal justice system.”