Every police chief across the UK has united in an unprecedented show of force, signing a joint letter demanding Prime Minister Andy Burnham use every lawful option available to stop the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers. The move is a direct challenge to Labour’s justice reforms.
Fifty top law enforcement leaders, representing every regional force as well as the National Crime Agency and Jersey Police, put their names on the letter. They warn the government’s plan to release convicts like Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole halfway through their sentences puts the public at risk.
Bowers and Cole were just 17 when they killed 28-year-old PC Harper in 2019, dragging him to death with a towrope. They received 13-year sentences for manslaughter in 2020 and are currently eligible for release this January—only halfway through their time behind bars.
PC Harper’s widow, Lissie, has campaigned tirelessly for Harper’s Law, which now mandates life sentences for anyone who kills an emergency worker on duty. She has expressed disgust that her husband’s killers could soon walk free.
The police chiefs’ letter is blunt. It says the early release policy erodes trust in the justice system, damages victim confidence, and questions the value placed on officers who risk their lives. It stresses that this isn’t just about punishment—it’s about public safety.
Signatories also note the emotional toll on serving personnel. They worry that freeing these men sends a troubling message about how the country views the sacrifice of those who protect others.
Prime Minister Burnham has reportedly ordered a review of the early release scheme, asking Justice Secretary Alex Norris to find a legal path to keep Bowers and Cole locked up. While the government has already blocked early release for rapists and paedophiles, manslaughter convictions like theirs were not included.
A government spokesperson said Monday night that the PM is pushing to exempt the duo from the scheme. But previous claims suggested legal challenges would arise if the government tried to block their release outright.
With tensions rising and a national outcry growing, all eyes are now on Downing Street. Will the prime minister find a way to keep PC Harper’s killers behind bars—or will they walk free as planned?
