Police Federation threatens legal action over early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers

"We will do what we have to do to".

As part of the early prison release scheme, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers could be set free from prison ahead of schedule.

Aileen O'Connor, chair of the body representing police officers in the force in which PC Harper served, has warned that the decision to free the Cole and Bowers could cause anger and devastate the morale of local officers.

PC Harper of Thames Valley Police was 28-years-old when he was killed in August 2019 while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire.

He died after becoming entangled in a strap attached to the rear of a car and being dragged along a country road as three teenage suspects fled the scene of the burglary.

Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were passengers in the vehicle and were both 17 at the time.

They were both sentenced to 13 years in prison for manslaughter, but might be eligible for early release under the new Sentencing Act.

On Monday, the government announced that certain offences would be exempt from the early release scheme, including rape, serious sexual abuse of children of grooming gang offences.

This policy comes in an attempt to alleviate pressure on prison capacity.

Writing in the Sun, O'Connor agreed, stating she would "not forget the Government's inexplicable and unforgivable decision to allow those who kill police officers to be released early from jail".

She said: "We will throw everything at this through a proper legal challenge from KCs, barristers, you name it. Our colleagues will accept nothing less.

"We will do what we have to do to protect Andrew Harper's legacy and other victims up and down the country who don't have a platform to put their points across."

She added: "It is a final betrayal from the politicians, who are supposed to be on our side. A smack in the face to every one of us police officers across the United Kingdom, who are out there now risking our lives to keep you, the public, safe."

Ms O'Connor described it as an "insult" to his family, friends and officers across the nation.

A petition launched by the Police Federation on Tuesday has already totalled 100,000 signatures.