Branch chair says freeing officer killers early would ‘let down’ fallen colleagues

5 August 2026

Derbyshire Police Federation chair Lisa Flanagan has described newly proposed changes to the UK Sentencing Act which could see the killers of police officers granted early release from prison as ‘unacceptable’.

In an effort to alleviate prison overcrowding, the Government had previously announced its intention to bring in the phased early release of around 5000 inmates starting this October.

This would be in addition to the approximate 4,500 prisoners already being released each month across the country.

After becoming Prime Minister last month, Andy Burnham sought an urgent review into the policy, and this intervention has resulted in the exclusion of certain high-risk offenders from the scheme, who have been deemed too dangerous for it to apply to.

 

PC Andrew Harper

 

But while branch chair Lisa may agree with this decision in principle, she has voiced criticism for the fact that those convicted for the deaths of police officers have not been included in this barred list.

She said: “I am extremely disappointed to see that the people responsible for the deaths of police officers still have the possibility of early release from prison. 

“It is especially frustrating when clearly, the Government now recognises some offenders simply cannot be in line to benefit from this policy, but for some reason, they have stopped short of including the killers of officers.

“Those convicted of such a serious crime should serve the sentences handed down by the courts and not be considered for early release, under any circumstances.

Reconsider

“If this is allowed to happen, it would be seriously letting down our fallen officers, as well as their family and friends, and I would urge the Government to seriously reconsider.”

Under the revised plans, prisoners convicted of rape, grooming and serious child sex offences will be barred from gaining early release.

Meanwhile, the likes of those responsible for the death of PC Andrew Harper will still be in contention to leave prison before fulfilling their full sentences.

PC Harper was on duty for Thames Valley Police when he was killed at the age of 28.

In August 2019, he was dragged behind a car along a country road while responding to the theft of a quad bike, ultimately losing his life in the incident.

Prison

Three teenagers fled the scene before later being sentenced to a combined total of 42 years' imprisonment.

Now, in Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers – who were passengers in the car and each received 13-year sentences – two-thirds of this offending trio could be in line for release after serving only half of their assigned prison time.

Lisa added: “I find it absurd and deeply disturbing to know these two offenders may come out of prison on the early release list – it is simply not acceptable.

“Their actions on that day seven years ago not only took PC Harper’s life but changed the lives of those who loved him forever. The sense of grief and loss his family feel will never go away, and they must live with that permanently.

“It is unjust, therefore, for these two individuals to only serve half of their sentences before going back out into society.

Sacrifice

“For me, this would communicate the idea that a police officer’s sacrifice is only of limited value, while prison capacity allows – when in reality, it should be treated with the utmost significance, respect and sensitivity.”

Echoing these thoughts, Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) national chair Tiff Lynch questioned what kind of message the new Sentencing Act in its current form would send about the value of the police to the Government.

She also warned a flawed early release scheme would undermine public confidence in the country’s justice system.

A petition has been launched to stop the early release of those responsible for PC Andrew Harper’s death, which can be signed here.

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