Derbyshire Federation says ‘collective action shows what policing can achieve’

3 September 2026

The campaign to ensure the killers of PC Andrew Harper serve the sentences handed to them has demonstrated the strength and power of one voice, says Derbyshire Police Federation chair Lisa Flanagan.

Lisa has welcomed the Government’s decision to prevent people convicted of unlawful killing, including manslaughter, from benefiting from the early release scheme.

The decision means two of the men convicted over the death of PC Andrew Harper, who had previously been eligible to be considered for release, will remain in prison and serve the sentences imposed by the courts.

For Lisa, the outcome is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when police officers, Federation members, families, politicians and members of the public unite behind a common cause.

 

PC Andrew Harper

 

Lisa said: “This is an important and welcome decision, not just for Andrew Harper’s family and colleagues, but for police officers everywhere.

“Andrew was carrying out his duty and trying to protect the public when he was killed. The prospect of those responsible being released early was understandably deeply upsetting to the police family.

“But what has happened since then shows the difference that people can make when they stand together.

“Police officers and staff across the country made their feelings known. Federation members contacted MPs, supported the campaign and helped make sure this issue could not simply be overlooked.

Petition

“The public response was equally remarkable. More than a million people signed the petition calling for Andrew’s killers to serve their full sentences.

“That sends a very clear message. There is enormous public support for the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect their communities, and there is a strong expectation that justice should be upheld when an officer loses their life doing that job.

“The Government has now listened and acted, and that is something I believe will be welcomed across policing.”

PC Andrew Harper, a Thames Valley Police officer, was killed in August 2019 while responding to reports of a quad bike being stolen in Berkshire.

The 28-year-old officer was dragged behind a car and died while attempting to stop those responsible. Two of the people involved, who were both aged 17 at the time, were subsequently convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 13 years in prison.

The campaign against their potential early release was led by Thames Valley Police Federation and received unprecedented support from policing and the wider public.

Campaign

Lisa added: “The sheer scale of the support for this campaign should not be underestimated.

“More than one million people signing a petition is an extraordinary demonstration of public feeling, while the support from police officers, staff, senior leaders and politicians showed that this was an issue that mattered right across the country.

“It also underlines something we should never forget - when an officer is killed in the line of duty, the impact reaches far beyond their immediate colleagues. It affects the whole police family.

“We continue to remember Andrew, his family, his friends and those who worked alongside him.

“Nothing can undo what happened, but hopefully this decision will give them some reassurance that the strength of feeling about Andrew’s case was heard and that the sentences handed down by the courts will be respected.

“For Derbyshire officers and colleagues across the country, this has also been a powerful reminder that our collective voice matters.

“When we stand together, support one another and make our concerns known, we can bring about meaningful change.”

READ MORE: Branch chair encourages MP contact to support Andrew Harper petition.