Killers of emergency workers to receive mandatory life sentence following Harper's Law campaign

Emergency workers will receive greater protection from violent criminals after the Government confirmed ‘Harper’s Law’ would be added to the statute book.

The law - named after PC Andrew Harper, who was killed in the line of duty in August 2019 when responding to reports a quad bike theft in Stanford Dingley - will introduce mandatory life sentences for anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker whilst committing a crime.

The move comes following an unwavering campaign by PC Harper's widow, Lissie, whom he had married just 28 days previously.

Henry Long, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers each received custodial sentences of between 13 and 16 years in prison for PC Harper’s manslaughter.

An appeal by the Attorney General to increase their time behind bars was rejected.

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.

The law will be introduced as soon as possible through an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which is likely to become law early next year.

Mrs Harper said she was “delighted” that Harper’s Law would soon be written into the statute books.

She said: “Emergency services workers require extra protection – I know all too well how they are put at risk and into the depths of danger on a regular basis on behalf of society.

“That protection is what Harper’s Law will provide and I am delighted that it will soon become a reality.

“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.

“I would also like to thank my incredible Harper’s Law team as well as the public for their unstinting support for such an important campaign.

“Those who believed that the right thing is worth doing despite the hurdles and challenges that we needed to be overcome.

“And for the families of those that this Law will provide justice for, we’re almost there. Your continued support has kept me pushing forward.”

PC Harper, 28, died from multiple injuries after his foot was caught in a crane strap attached to the back of a car driven by Long.

He was dragged for more than a mile along country roads as the trio fled the scene of a quad bike theft.

Long, from College Piece, Mortimer, admitted Pc Harper’s manslaughter while Cole and Bowers – from Paices Hill, Aldermaston, and Windmill Corner, Mortimer Common, respectively – were both convicted of manslaughter after trial, with all three cleared of murder by an Old Bailey jury which deliberated for more than 12 hours.

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.”