The decision to allow the early release of two men convicted in connection with the 2019 death of PC Andrew Harper has sparked widespread public and police outrage across the United Kingdom. Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, who were each sentenced to 13 years in prison for manslaughter, are among those eligible for an early release scheme recently extended by the government to include offenders convicted of manslaughter.

PC Harper, a 28-year-old officer with Thames Valley Police, was fatally dragged by a vehicle at high speed while attempting to stop thieves stealing a quad bike. The third man convicted, Henry Long, who was sentenced to 16 years for his role in the incident, is not eligible for early release under the current rules.

The controversy has intensified following Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision not to block the early release of Bowers and Cole, despite public backlash and calls from within the police community to maintain their full sentences. Burnham had previously pledged to review the early release policies introduced under former Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, which aimed to reduce prison overcrowding, and has so far excluded rapists and serious child sex offenders from the scheme but retained manslaughter convictions within its scope.

Thames Valley Police Chief Constable and the chair of the force’s federation, Aileen O’Connor, have expressed strong opposition to the move. O’Connor launched a petition demanding stricter protections for emergency workers and challenging the government’s decision. The petition attracted over 400,000 signatures within a day, highlighting the depth of public concern. O’Connor described the early release plan as a “final betrayal by our politicians” and called on Burnham and Justice Secretary to explain the rationale behind the decision to PC Harper’s family and the wider police force.

Police representatives have warned the ruling risks undermining officers’ morale and public confidence in the justice system. They argue releasing individuals convicted of killing a police officer early could send the wrong message about the value placed on the lives of emergency workers. Some voices have suggested legislative changes, including expanding Harper’s Law—which currently regards assaulting emergency workers as an aggravating factor—to explicitly prevent those convicted of manslaughter of police officers from early release.

Public commentary reflects a mix of deep sympathy for PC Harper’s family and frustration toward the government’s handling of the case. Many submitted statements emphasize the perceived injustice of reducing the sentences and the threat such decisions might pose to law enforcement morale and public safety. Some called for harsher punishments, expressing the view that the current sentences were already insufficient for the severity of the crime.

The government has yet to respond officially to the latest wave of criticism, but the issue remains a flashpoint for debate over criminal justice policies, the rights and safety of emergency service personnel, and the balance between prison reform and public security. Meanwhile, Thames Valley Police continue to consider legal challenges to the early release decisions in hopes of preventing Bowers and Cole from regaining their freedom ahead of completing their full sentences.