Chair grateful for MP’s ‘swift and decisive’ support over cop killer release

13 March 2025

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Luke Mitchell has thanked a local MP for urging the Government to reconsider the release of cop killer James Hurley from prison.

David Taylor, the MP for Hemel Hempstead, has written to the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood over the release of murderer James Hurley.

Mr Taylor said the ‘only place for Hurley is behind bars’ for killing off-duty Hertfordshire Police Officer Frank Mason during an armed robbery in Hemel Hempstead in 1988.

Hurley was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1989 but escaped while being transferred in 1994. He was on the run for 13 years and was found in 2007.

Hemel Hempstead MP David Taylor.

He has now been cleared for release by the parole board following a hearing last October.

Mr Taylor, who shared his letter on social media, said: “I cannot imagine the pain that PC Frank Mason’s family must be enduring. My thoughts and wishes are with them.

“I am shocked by the news that James Hurley will be released by the parole board. There is one place for him, behind bars.

“While this is not the decision of the Justice Secretary or Government, I have written with urgency. Upon hearing of the matter, I have also raised through other channels at the highest level.

Thoughts and wishes

“My thoughts and wishes are with all those affected by this evil man’s actions.”

Branch chair Luke is due to meet Mr Taylor later today (Thursday 13 March) to discuss the issue.

Luke said: “We are grateful to Mr Taylor for writing to the Government and urging the return to prison of this violent killer.

“Within an hour of speaking to Mr Taylor and making him aware of the feeling of the Federation and our members over this, he had written to the Justice Secretary.

Support

“We are grateful for such swift and decisive support for Frank’s family and for the police.

“Frank’s murder sent shockwaves through our community, and there is a lot of anger in our community and throughout policing at the news that his murderer is being released.

“It is a gross injustice and makes a mockery of the system and must be reversed.”

READ MORE: Disgust as PC Frank Mason's killer set to be released.