Make your voice heard: write to your MP about release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers

20 August 2026

Members of West Mercia Police Federation are being urged to write to their local MP about the early release of the men convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper.

The campaign to ensure the two offenders remain in prison has gathered significant support - from the police, public and key stake holders - with an online petition surpassing one million signatures.

But the Federation says that the fight is not over and members are being asked to throw their support behind the campaign further, by writing to their local MP.

Chair of West Mercia Police Federation Gareth Spreadbury said: “For a petition to reach - and pass - that many signatures in such a small amount of time shows the power of feeling across the country.

 

PC Andrew Harper

 

“The petition has prompted the Government to consider changing the law - but we can’t sit back and simply hope for change.

“The fight is not over yet. The next steps are vital.

“That is why West Mercia Police Federation is urging its members to take the next step and make their voices heard directly by their elected representatives.”

Members are being asked to take just a couple of minutes to write to their local MP and urge them to support a change in the law that would prevent PC Harper’s killers from being released early.

Overcrowding

The petition follows changes to the prisoner release system, which were introduced as part of the Government’s response to severe prison overcrowding.

These changes would mean thousands of prisoners across England and Wales would be eligible for release earlier than expected - including Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers.

Cole and Bowers were both sentenced to 13 years in custody for manslaughter following the death of PC Harper. Early release could see both completing just half of their sentencing. 

Gareth said that ‘ever letter, every email sent - matters’.

He continued: “ MPs need to understand how strongly police officers and their communities feel about ensuring justice for PC Andrew Harper and his family.”

Finding your MP is straightforward. Visit the official Parliament website and enter your postcode: Find your MP

You will then be able to access your MP’s details and, where available, a link to contact them directly by email.

Contact your MP

Gareth said: “We appreciate that members are busy, but contacting your MP takes only a few minutes.

“The more people who write, the harder it is for the Government to ignore the strength of feeling behind this campaign.

“This is about standing together as a policing family, supporting Andrew’s friends and colleagues, and making clear that the law must properly reflect the seriousness of crimes committed against police officers.”

Aileen O’Connor, chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, who launched the online petition, said: “On behalf of Thames Valley Police Federation, Andrew’s friends and colleagues, and everyone who has supported this campaign, thank you for your continued support.”

Please make your voice heard. Find your MP, email them, and help keep up the pressure for change.

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

Please feel free to email any responses from your MP to staff@wmpf.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]