PC Andrew Harper's widow 'overwhelmed' with public support for law change

Lissie Harper (right) is campaigning for a law change following the death of PC Andrew Harper (left)
PA
Emily Lawford18 August 2020
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

PC Andrew Harper’s widow said she has been overwhelmed by support for her campaign to introduce life sentences for anyone who kills an emergency service worker.

PC Harper, 28, was dragged to his death on August 15 last year as he tried to stop three thieves escaping after stealing a quad bike in Stanford Dingley, Berkshire.

His widow Lissie Harper, who married the officer one month before he died, is calling for a minimum sentence of life in prison for anyone convicted of killing "a police officer, firefighter, doctor, prison officer or paramedic".

"Our justice system is broken," Ms Harper, 29, said.

Lissie Harper is calling for a minimum sentence of life in prison for killing an emergency worker such as her husband
PA

"I have witnessed first-hand the lenient and insufficient way in which the justice system deals with criminals who take the lives of our emergency workers."

"Harper's Law will ensure those that commit these offences aren't out again on the streets in a matter of weeks while the families of the victims suffer their own life sentences. That would be far more just."

The campaign was first announced on August 4, when PC Harper's mother, Debbie Adlam, said she wanted anyone who injures or kills a police officer to serve a minimum 20 year term, under "Andrew's Law".

Ms Harper said in a statement today that she is "overwhelmed by the thousands of people from across the country who have publicly backed our campaign since we announced its launch".

However, she said the original name of the campaign law "been causing potential confusion to the public - with it already being used in America and being used for a different goal by Andrew's mother".

Andrew and Lissie Harper married a month before Andrew was killed
PA

"So (we) felt it important to change the name to Harper's Law at this early juncture," she added.

"What hasn't changed is the aim of the campaign and what we are fighting for: Anyone killing a police officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor, prison officers or paramedic should spend the rest of their lives behind bars. No ifs. No buts."

The ringleader of PC Harper’s killing, Henry Long, 19, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for manslaughter, but could be released in less than 11 years.

Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, were sentenced to 13 years.

However, they could be out on licence after serving less than nine years, under legislation that says a prisoner is eligible for release after serving two-thirds of their sentence.

The campaign has been backed by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), as well as PC Harper's father, step mother, brother and sister.

Lissie Harper's campaign has been backed by Andrew's family and the PFEW
PA

PFEW's National Chair, John Apter, said the new law would be PC Harper’s legacy.

He said: "We will continue to support Lissie in her efforts to seek justice and change the law for the greater good."

Ms Harper paid tribute to her late husband with a heartfelt poem she read out at a memorial ahead of the first anniversary of his killing on Friday.

In the poem, Ms Harper described her husband as "kind and strong without venom or greed," and said she was lucky to be his wife.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in