Fifty police chiefs have signed a letter to the Prime Minister, calling for all legal avenues to be pursued to prevent the early release of the teenagers convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper. The officers, from across Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, expressed their concerns following the government's early release scheme designed to alleviate prison overcrowding.

PC Harper, 28, died in August 2019 after being dragged behind a car driven by three teenagers fleeing a quad bike theft in Berkshire. His death highlighted the dangers faced by officers on duty.

The intervention by the police chiefs comes shortly after Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated his confidence that the early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, scheduled for January, could be prevented. The letter welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment, viewing it as an opportunity to examine all lawful options in PC Harper's specific case and to address systemic issues for the future.

Under recent changes to the Sentencing Act, Cole and Bowers, who were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter in 2020, become eligible for release after serving half their sentence. The police chiefs argue that the early release of individuals involved in the death of a police officer could undermine the perceived value of their service and sacrifice.

The letter outlines three key requests for the Prime Minister. Firstly, it reiterates the call to explore every lawful option to prevent the earlier release of PC Harper's killers. Secondly, the chiefs advocate for greater consideration of the nature of crimes committed by prisoners when their sentences are altered, emphasizing public protection, victim impact, and community safety.

"This is not simply a question of punishment," the letter states. "It is a question of ensuring that public protection, victim confidence and community safety remain central to decisions that may substantially reduce the time an offender spends in custody." This call for a more robust approach to sentence alterations aims to ensure that factors beyond mere time served are adequately weighed.

Thirdly, the police chiefs request that victims and bereaved families be given proper consideration whenever significant changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements. This plea underscores the emotional and societal impact of crimes and the importance of acknowledging those affected when decisions about an offender's liberty are made.

The government's early release scheme is expected to see approximately 5,000 prisoners freed, a reduction from an initial estimate of 6,000 following exemptions for those convicted of severe offenses such as rape, child sex offenses, and grooming. The police chiefs' letter seeks to ensure that such schemes do not inadvertently diminish the gravity of offenses involving the death or serious harm of public servants.