Criminals who kill emergency service workers will face mandatory life sentences under ‘Harper’s Law’

Those who kill emergency service workers will face mandatory life sentences thanks to a law change prompted by the death of PC Andrew Harper. 

On August 15th 2019, just one month on from his wedding day, PC Harper was killed while responding to a report of a burglary in Sulhamstead, Berkshire. The twenty-eight-year-old suffered catastrophic injuries when his ankles were caught in a strap attached to the getaway car as he attempted to apprehend one of the burglars.

In July, the driver of the car, nineteen-year-old Henry Long, was charged with manslaughter and jailed for just sixteen years while his his eighteen-year-old passengers were each jailed for thirteen years.

Following the controversial sentencing, his widow Lissie Harper spoke of her outrage and began to campaign for a law change that would bring mandatory life sentences for those who kill an emergency worker in the line of duty.

And this week, Lissie has won her fight for change; the government has confirmed it will be introducing new legislation titled ‘Harper’s Law’ that will make life sentences mandatory for anyone who kills an emergency worker.

Lissie said on the historic law change: “Emergency services workers require extra protection. I know all too well how they are put at risk and into the depths of danger on a regular basis on behalf of society.

“That protection is what Harper’s Law will provide and I am delighted that it will soon become a reality.

“It’s been a long journey and a lot of hard work. I know Andrew would be proud to see Harper’s Law reach this important milestone.”

Announcing the proposed law change, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab added: “We are going to pass into law mandatory life sentences for those who unlawfully kill an emergency worker in the course of their duty.

“I pay tribute to Lissie Harper’s remarkable campaign. This Government is on the side of victims and their families and we want our emergency services to know that we’ll always have their back.”

Harper’s Law is expected to make it onto the statute books via an amendment to the existing Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, meaning it is likely to get Royal Assent and become law early next year.