‘This is not justice’: sign the petition for PC Andrew Harper

7 August 2026

The Government’s failure to prevent PC Andrew Harper’s killers being considered for early release from prison has been condemned by West Midlands Police Federation chair Jess Davies.

Jess says she is shocked that the Prime Minister has not done more to ensure the two offenders convicted of PC Harper’s manslaughter stay behind bars.

“It is outrageous that the Government is sending out the message that killing a police officer in the line of duty is somehow less serious than some other offences where early release cannot be considered,” says Jess.

“Police officers put their lives on the line each and every day as they go about their duties, serving the public, upholding the law and protecting the public. Any attack on a police officer is an attack on society as a whole. Anyone convicted of killing a police officer should feel the full weight of the law and should not be considered for early release.

“I can’t even start to understand how Andrew Harper’s widow and his family feel about the Government’s failure to act on this issue. But I do know that police officers the length and breadth of the country, and particularly Andrew’s colleagues in Thames Valley Police, feel angry and let down.

“This is not justice – for Andrew, for his family, for policing or for the public. This has to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

A petition set up by Thames Valley Police Federation to stop the release of the killers has been signed by almost 640,000 people since its launch earlier this week.

Jess is urging West Midlands Police Federation members and the whole policing family to sign the petition.

“I commend Aileen O’Connor, chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, for everything she’s doing with the petition and stand shoulder to shoulder with her on this issue,” says Jess.