The chief constable of Thames Valley Police has joined the growing backlash over the possible early release of two men convicted over the death of PC Andrew Harper, warning that allowing them back onto the streets before completing their sentences would be “wrong”.

Jason Hogg, the senior officer leading the force where PC Harper served, has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham and senior ministers to reconsider the decision that could see Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole released halfway through their 13-year prison terms.

His intervention comes after PC Harper’s widow Lissie Harper and mother Debbie Adlam described the possibility of early release as devastating and “deplorable”, saying it felt like another betrayal after years of fighting for justice.

PC Harper, 28, was killed in August 2019 while responding to the theft of a quad bike in Sulhamstead, Berkshire.

The officer was attempting to stop a group of thieves when his ankles became caught in a tow strap attached to the back of their vehicle.

As the car sped away, Harper was dragged for more than a mile along rural roads, suffering fatal injuries.

The tragedy shocked police forces across Britain and led to a nationwide campaign for tougher protection for emergency workers.

Three men were later convicted over his death.

Henry Long, who was driving the vehicle, received a 16-year sentence and is not eligible for early release.

However, passengers Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were both 17 at the time of the killing, were each sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter.

Under the new sentencing rules, both men could potentially leave prison after serving half of their sentences.

The possibility has sparked anger among Harper’s family, police leaders and victims’ groups, who argue that the punishment handed down by the courts should not be shortened because of prison overcrowding.

Chief Constable Jason Hogg said PC Harper’s death continued to have a profound impact on policing and the wider community.

“The tragedy of Andrew Harper’s death has had a lasting impact, both within Thames Valley Police and across policing and our communities nationally,” he said.

“It is a real and constant reminder of the dedication of officers and staff who respond without hesitation to protect their communities.”

Mr Hogg highlighted that the law had since changed because of Harper’s death.

Under Harper’s Law, those convicted of murdering or manslaughtering emergency workers while they are carrying out their duties face mandatory life sentences.

“If his killers were convicted today, they would be receiving life sentences,” Mr Hogg said.

“For this reason, for them to be released early under the new Sentencing Act legislation feels wrong.”

The chief constable confirmed he had written directly to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Justice Secretary to make his concerns clear.

His comments add further pressure on the government to reconsider the controversial early release policy, which was introduced to address severe overcrowding in prisons.

The scheme allows some offenders to be released earlier than previously expected, with less serious offenders potentially leaving after serving a third of their sentence and more serious criminals becoming eligible after half.

Critics argue the policy risks placing dangerous offenders back into communities before they have completed punishments determined by judges.

For Harper’s family, the issue is not simply about prison policy — it is about whether justice still has meaning.

His widow Lissie Harper said politicians were making decisions that would have lasting consequences for victims’ families.

“It has taken me years to rebuild a life that was torn apart in a matter of moments,” she said.

“Years to pick up the pieces left behind by three men whose actions robbed Andrew of his life and stole our future.”

She said the possibility of early release felt like another blow.

“It is deplorable to me that we have reached a point where releasing prisoners early is even considered acceptable,” she said.

“We speak of justice, accountability and standing with victims, yet decisions like this do the opposite.”

Mrs Harper said the policy sent a damaging message to victims.

“They tell victims their suffering matters less, and offenders that the punishment handed down by our courts is no longer what they will actually serve,” she said.

She also pointed out that Harper’s Law had received support from across the political divide, including Labour.

“When I fought for Harper’s Law, I was supported not only by the Conservative Government of the day but by the Labour Party too,” she said.

“They agreed that those who kill emergency workers should face tougher sentences because some crimes are so grave they demand meaningful punishment.”

Her message was clear: the issue should not be about politics but about trust.

“For victims’ families, this is not about politics,” she said.

“It is about whether a sentence means what a judge says it means.”

PC Harper’s mother Debbie Adlam has also spoken out, describing the potential release as an “insult beyond anything able to be put into words”.

She said receiving news that Cole and Bowers could leave prison early had left her feeling sick.

“Andrew’s life doesn’t get to come back,” she said.

“It feels like a slap in the face and an insult.”

The Police Federation of England and Wales has also condemned the possibility.

Aileen O’Connor, chairman of Thames Valley Police Federation, said officers across the country would be “disgusted” if Harper’s killers were released early.

“These killers have never shown any remorse for their horrific and deadly actions that night,” she said.

“Andrew’s wife Lissie and his whole family are serving a life sentence. The least we can expect is that his killers serve their whole sentence.”

She warned that the decision could damage morale among officers who already face significant dangers.

“What message does this send about the worth of a life of a police officer?” she asked.

The controversy has also highlighted wider concerns within policing about the impact of early release policies.

Brian Booth, deputy national chair of the Police Federation, said officers found it difficult to understand how justice could be served when offenders leave prison early because of capacity problems rather than because their sentences had changed.

“Whatever the legal justification, police officers find it difficult to understand how justice is served when individuals connected to such a devastating crime leave custody earlier than expected,” he said.

He argued that prison overcrowding should not result in reduced punishment for violent criminals.

“The solution to prison overcrowding cannot simply be to reduce the time violent offenders spend behind bars,” he said.

Mr Booth warned that the policy risked damaging public confidence in the criminal justice system and undermining police officers’ belief that the system supports them.

The government has insisted that public safety remains its priority and that reforms are necessary because of pressure on prison capacity.

Mr Burnham said he would review the policy and stressed that the main offender in Harper’s case, Henry Long, would not benefit from early release.

However, campaigners argue that the issue goes beyond one individual case.

For Harper’s family and police colleagues, the question is whether sentences handed down after devastating crimes should remain meaningful.

Nearly seven years after PC Andrew Harper was killed, his name continues to shape debates about justice, sentencing and protection for emergency workers.

His family believes the fight is not over.

And as ministers consider the future of the early release scheme, they face growing pressure from those who argue that victims — and the officers who protect the public — deserve better.