Fed praises ‘extraordinary’ campaign to keep PC Harper’s killers behind bars

1 September 2026

Nottinghamshire Police Federation has praised Thames Valley Police Federation for its ‘extraordinary’ campaign to ensure the killers of PC Andrew Harper remain behind bars.

Nottinghamshire Police Federation vice chair Jasmine Chaplain said Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Government decision to exclude those convicted of unlawful killing, including manslaughter, from the early release scheme was a significant victory for justice.

She added that it powerfully demonstrates what can be achieved when policing and the public speak with one voice.

The decision means two of PC Harper’s killers, who had previously been eligible for consideration for early release, will remain in prison and serve the sentences handed down by the courts.

The announcement follows a sustained national campaign led by Thames Valley Police Federation chair Aileen O’Connor, whose petition calling for PC Harper’s killers to serve their full sentences attracted more than one million signatures.

Early release

Federation members across the country were also encouraged to contact their MPs and make their views known, while 50 chief constables signed an open letter urging the Government to reconsider the early release provisions.

Jasmine said: “This is a hugely significant decision and one that I know will be welcomed across policing.

“But above all, huge praise and thanks must go to Aileen O’Connor and everyone at Thames Valley Police Federation for the incredible work they have put into this campaign.

“They took up the fight, kept the pressure on and gave police officers, Federation members and members of the public a platform to make their voices heard. The response was extraordinary.

“More than one million people signed the petition. That is an incredible demonstration of public support for our police officers and a very clear message that those responsible for killing PC Harper should serve the sentences handed down by the courts.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham

“What Aileen and the Thames Valley team have achieved shows exactly why having a strong and united Federation and policing family matters. They have demonstrated the power of a campaign when people are prepared to stand together and refuse to let an important issue be forgotten.

“It also shows the power of a collective voice. Individual voices can be easy to overlook, but when hundreds of thousands of people come together and say the same thing, it becomes impossible to ignore.

“I want to pay tribute to everyone who supported the campaign - including our own members who contacted their MPs, signed the petition and helped make sure the strength of feeling across policing was understood.

“This was about much more than one individual case. It was about standing up for the principle that when an officer is killed in the line of duty, justice must be properly served.

“Most importantly, we continue to remember PC Harper, his family, his friends and his colleagues.

Reassurance

"Nothing can undo the terrible events of 2019, but I hope this decision provides some measure of reassurance to those who loved and knew him.”

PC Harper, a Thames Valley Police officer, was killed in August 2019 after being dragged behind a car while attempting to stop a group stealing a quad bike in Berkshire.

Two of those involved, who were both 17 at the time, were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 13 years in prison.

The Government’s decision followed the sustained campaign to change the early release rules.

The Prime Minister said the decision had been influenced by the concerns raised by PC Harper’s family and said: “Nobody would want a position to arise where those guilty of killing a police officer are let out early from prison.”

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