50 policing and law enforcement leaders from across the UK have signed an open letter calling for the Prime Minister to prevent early release of PC Harper's killers.

Acting Chief Constable Rebecca Riggs of Staffordshire Police is among those who have signed.

PC Harper was killed in the line of duty while responding to a burglary on 15 August 2019.

During the incident, PC Harper was dragged along the road after his ankles got caught in a strap attached to a getaway vehicle, causing his death.

Three teenagers were convicted of manslaughter following the incident.

The driver of the vehicle, Henry Long, was jailed for 16 years while passengers Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were each jailed for 13 years.

Under government plans to tackle prison overcrowding, Bowers and Cole will become eligible for early release.

The letter, addressed to the Prime Minister, comes shortly after Andy Burnham said he was "confident" that the early release of PC Harper's killers could be prevented.

It begins: "We welcome your intervention regarding the potential earlier release of those responsible for the death of PC Andrew Harper, and your instruction to the Justice Secretary to examine what can lawfully be done.

"When the state asks people to run towards danger on behalf of the public, they should be able to trust that the justice system will stand behind them when the worst happens."

Within the letter there are also calls for improvements to be made regarding the protection of victims and communities when release dates are changed.

The letter also states: "There is a profound strength of feeling across policing about those responsible for PC Andrew Harper's death benefiting from arrangements that could see them released substantially earlier than expected.

"Officers and staff understand that the law must be applied as it stands.

"But they will question what message this sends about the value placed on their service and sacrifice when they put themselves in harm's way to protect others.

"Police officers and staff see first-hand the impact serious crime has on victims and their families.

"They support people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives and ask them to place their trust in the justice system.

"That trust is vital and should not be weakened.

"We are also collectively concerned that an approach to early release which does not sufficiently distinguish the most serious offending risks undermining public safety, victim confidence and wider confidence in the criminal justice system."

Harper's Law was introduced in 2022, following a campaign by PC Harper's widow, Lissie Harper.

The change in the law means that offenders convicted of the manslaughter of an emergency worker in the course of another crime will receive a mandatory life sentence.

It can not be applied retrospectively hence the possibility of early release for Bowers and Cole.

Click here to read the full letter.