Members urged to contact MPs over early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers

20 August 2026

Durham Police Federation is calling on members to contact their MPs and add their voices to the growing campaign against the early release of the men convicted over the death of PC Andrew Harper.

More than one million people have now signed a petition calling for the two men convicted of manslaughter following PC Harper’s death to remain in prison.

But with changes to the prisoner release system potentially affecting the length of time offenders spend behind bars, the Federation says the campaign must continue.

 

PC Andrew Harper

 

Louise Ramshaw, deputy chair of Durham Police Federation said: “More than a million signatures is a remarkable demonstration of public feeling, but we cannot allow that momentum to fade.

“Police officers understand better than most the devastating consequences of attacks on those who serve their communities. Andrew Harper was killed while doing his job, and his family, friends and colleagues continue to live with that loss.

“We are asking our members to take a few minutes to contact their MP and make sure they understand just how strongly people feel about this issue.”

Overcrowding

The Government introduced changes to the prisoner release system as part of measures aimed at tackling severe overcrowding across the prison estate.

Those changes could result in thousands of prisoners in England and Wales becoming eligible for release earlier than would previously have been expected.

Among those potentially affected are Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were each sentenced to 13 years in custody for manslaughter following the death of PC Harper.

Under the new arrangements, the pair could be released after serving around half of their sentences in custody.

Justice system

Durham Police Federation believes the issue is about ensuring the consequences of crimes against police officers are properly reflected in the justice system.

Louise said: “Police officers deserve to know that when one of their colleagues is killed in the line of duty, the justice system will recognise the full gravity of what has happened. But beyond that, the public need to be able to trust the justice system.

“We owe it to PC Harper’s family and loved ones to keep making the case for change.

“Writing to an MP may only take a few minutes, but collectively those messages can demonstrate the strength of feeling across policing and the wider community. We would encourage every member who feels strongly about this issue to make their voice heard.”

Letter

Members can find their local MP and access their contact details through the official Parliament website by entering their postcode: Find your MP

There is a template letter below you can copy and paste into an email to them.

Please feel free to email any responses from your MP to Durham.Office@durham.polfed.org

 

Dear [MP NAME],

I am writing as your constituent to ask you to support the campaign to prevent the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers. I am deeply concerned that changes to early release under the Government’s new Sentencing Act could mean that two of the men responsible for PC Harper’s death are released from prison before they have served their full sentence.

Police officers put themselves in harm’s way every single day to keep the rest of us safe.

They run towards danger when others run away, knowing that there is always a possibility they may not make it home to their families.

Allowing those responsible for killing an officer in the line of duty to benefit from early release would send a terrible message to police officers across the country about how we value their service and sacrifice.

I believe that PC Harper’s family and colleagues deserve better. I am therefore asking you, as my MP, to urge the Prime Minister and the Justice Secretary to make urgent changes to the Early Release Scheme, so that PC Andrew Harper’s killers remain behind bars for the duration of their original sentence.

I look forward to hearing from you.

[NAME]

[POSTCODE]