The policing community rallied to ensure PC Andrew Harper's killers serve their prison sentence
In 2019, PC Andrew Harper was responding to a quad bike theft in Berkshire when he was dragged to his death behind the getaway car. He was 28, and had married Lissie just weeks before.
“Thank you. To the million-plus people who signed. To everyone who shared this petition, who messaged us, who wrote to their MP, who simply cared enough to add their name. This is your win as much as it is ours. PC Andrew Harper gave his life serving his community. We hope that today's outcome stands as some small measure of justice – for him, and for every officer who puts themselves in harm's way for the rest of us.”
Aileen O'Connor, personne ayant lancé la pétitionHis killers were cleared of murder and jailed for manslaughter. His family fought on and won Harper's Law, which means anyone who kills an emergency worker on duty now faces a mandatory life sentence. Then, in August 2026, they were told two of the men could be let out early under a new government scheme to ease prison overcrowding.
Ministers had already exempted rapists and serious child sex offenders from the scheme thanks to a separate Change.org campaign, but they said manslaughter couldn't be added. Aileen O'Connor, Chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, refused to accept that. She started a petition challenging the Prime Minister and Justice Secretary to explain their decision to Andrew's family, and to every officer who runs towards danger.
The public responded in huge numbers. More than a million people signed in 10 days, and 50 chief constables wrote an open letter calling on the government to think again.
On 30 August 2026, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that anyone convicted of unlawful killing, including manslaughter, would be excluded from early release. Andrew's killers will serve their sentences. Because of this campaign, many more families won't have to face the same fear.
Consultez la pétition pour découvrir comment elle a réussi à se démarquer.