Killing of PC Andrew Harper is far from an isolated incident: The Yorkshire Post says

When the so-called Protect the Protectors law giving people who assault emergency workers longer jail sentences was introduced in November 2018 after two years of campaigning led by Halifax MP Holly Lynch, then Justice Minister Rory Stewart said the legislation sent a clear message that violence towards them would “not be tolerated”.
By YP Comment
Published 10th Aug 2020, 05:45 BST
PC Andrew Harper and his wife, Lissie. Picture: Thames Valley Police/PA WirePC Andrew Harper and his wife, Lissie. Picture: Thames Valley Police/PA Wire
PC Andrew Harper and his wife, Lissie. Picture: Thames Valley Police/PA Wire

While that legislation was an undoubted step in the right direction, it is sadly clear more needs to be done.

The widow of PC Andrew Harper, killed last year as he tried to stop three thieves fleeing with a stolen quad bike in Berkshire, has launched a campaign backed by the Police Federation of England and Wales for full-life prison terms for those who kill members of the emergency services, while his mother has said there should be a minimum term of 20 years for anyone who takes an officer’s life with no possibility of parole.

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It comes after two of PC Harper’s killers were told they will only serve two-thirds of their 13 year sentences in custody.

A police officer paying his respects at the scene near Ufton Lane, Sulhamstead, Berkshire, where Thames Valley Police officer Pc Andrew Harper, 28, died. Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA WireA police officer paying his respects at the scene near Ufton Lane, Sulhamstead, Berkshire, where Thames Valley Police officer Pc Andrew Harper, 28, died. Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
A police officer paying his respects at the scene near Ufton Lane, Sulhamstead, Berkshire, where Thames Valley Police officer Pc Andrew Harper, 28, died. Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Backing for ‘Andrew’s Law’ has now come from another policeman seriously injured in the line of duty.

PC Gareth Phillips suffered a shattered pelvis when he was run over by a car thief five days before the death of PC Harper and has only recently returned to work.

As he puts it today, emergency service workers who go out to help people should not face the all-too-real possibility of not being able to go home at the end of a shift.

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Amoral law-breakers willing to attack public servants will never disappear from our streets but when they do commit such offences, their punishments should fit the severity of the crimes.

Lissie Harper, the widow of Pc Andrew Harper, wrote to the Prime Minister to ask for a retrial after her husband's teenage killers were cleared of murder. Picture: Aaron Chown/PA WireLissie Harper, the widow of Pc Andrew Harper, wrote to the Prime Minister to ask for a retrial after her husband's teenage killers were cleared of murder. Picture: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Lissie Harper, the widow of Pc Andrew Harper, wrote to the Prime Minister to ask for a retrial after her husband's teenage killers were cleared of murder. Picture: Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor

Related topics:HalifaxYorkshire PostYorkshire

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