Branch urges members to contact their MP over PC Harper killers

21 August 2026

Dyfed Powys Police Federation is calling on members and the public to contact their local MP to help block the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers.

PC Harper, a Thames Valley Police officer, died in August 2019 after being dragged by a car while attempting to stop a group who were towing away a stolen quad bike in Berkshire.

Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were each sentenced to 13 years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter.

The case has returned to the national spotlight after it emerged that Cole and Bowers could be released before completing their sentences in the Early Release Scheme.

The campaign to block their early release has attracted huge public support, with a petition calling for PC Harper’s killers to remain in prison having passed one million signatures.

 

PC Andrew Harper

 

Now Dyfed Powys Police Federation secretary Ceris Davies is encouraging people to write to their MP to get their support.

Ceris said: “More than a million people have taken the time to sign this petition, and that sends a very clear message about the depth of feeling in policing and the public.

“People understand the risks police officers face and believe those who kill an officer in the line of duty should face the full consequences of their actions.

“PC Andrew Harper was doing his job and trying to protect the public when he lost his life.

Deeply distressing

“His family and colleagues have had to live with that loss ever since, and the prospect of those responsible being released early is, understandably, deeply distressing.

“We are asking people to make their voices heard and contact their MP. When Parliament returns, MPs need to understand just how strongly people feel about this and the need for a change in the law.”

Concerns over their potential eligibility for early release have prompted a strong response from police officers and Federation branches across England and Wales.

The Police Federation of England and Wales has repeatedly raised concerns with the Government about the impact of the early release of offenders who attack officers.

Backing for officers

Ceris added: “Police officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep communities safe and if they’re ever attacked, they should be able to expect the full backing of the justice system.

“While this is about ensuring justice is served for PC Harper and his family and colleagues, it’s also about sending a message to serving officers and their families about the value we place on their safety and their sacrifice.”

Members of the public can find the name and contact details of their MP by entering their postcode on the UK Parliament website: Find your MP

Members can share responses received from their MP with the branch at dyfedpowys@polfed.org

Letter template

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]

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