The Government has eventually listened — you have made a difference

PC Andrew Harper made the ultimate sacrifice for the job that he loved, serving communities, serving society.

His killers should never have been considered for early release. It remains shocking that they were.

We are pleased that the Government - despite what was frankly initial reluctance – has eventually listened, seen sense and made the right decision to keep these lowlifes behind bars.

They had no option.

The weight of public and policing opinion against such plans was overwhelming.

The fact that more than one million people signed this petition over this was a historic public backing for police officers.

The fact 50 Chief Constables across the UK wrote an open letter calling for the Government to reconsider was unprecedented.

The right and proper decision has been made.

There is wider good news here that – as a result of our campaigning work – a wider collection of criminals will not be eligible for early release so there is better news today for many more families.

We would like to offer huge thanks to everyone who backed our campaign.

The one million people who signed this petition and all those who offered messages of support. You have made a difference.

Police officers put themselves in harm's way every day.

They head towards danger when everyone else is running away.

They do so knowing that they may never come home to their families. We have only seen in recent days in Cleveland, the danger colleagues face.

Our thoughts remain with the families of PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades.