Harper’s Law: success for PC’s widow

24 November 2021

The Government has backed a campaign by PC Andrew Harper’s widow calling for those who kill emergency service workers to be given mandatory life sentences.

The Ministry of Justice announced today it aims to pass Harper’s Law in England and Wales as soon as possible.

Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, has welcomed the news: “I am very pleased that Lissie Harper’s tireless campaign has been successful.

“PC Harper’s death was shocking and appalling, even more than two years later, it is still difficult to comprehend the horror of what happened to him. The strength and determination shown by his wife in securing this change to the law in his memory is commendable.”

Lissie has commented: “It’s been a long journey and a lot of hard work. I know Andrew would be proud to see Harper’s Law reach this important milestone.”

The law will introduce mandatory life sentences for anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker while committing a crime.

PC Harper was 28 when he was killed after been dragged by a getaway car in August 2019.

Teenagers Henry Long, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers each received sentences of between 13 and 19 years in prison for PC Harper’s manslaughter. An appeal by the Attorney General to increase their time behind bars was rejected.

But ministers are determined to make sure that punishments fit the severity of the crime.

The move extends mandatory life sentences to anyone who commits the manslaughter of an emergency worker on duty – including police, prison officers, firefighters and paramedics – while carrying out another crime unless there are truly exceptional circumstances.

Courts must already impose life sentences for murder, with a whole-life order being the starting point if the victim is a police officer.

Home Secretary Priti Patel, said: “PC Andrew Harper’s killing was shocking. As well as a committed police officer, he was a husband and a son. It is with thanks to the dedication of Lissie and his family that I am proud to be able to honour Andrew’s life by introducing Harper’s Law.

“Those who seek to harm our emergency service workers represent the very worst of humanity and it is right that future killers be stripped of the freedom to walk our streets with a life sentence.”