Fifty police chiefs have signed a letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, urging him to pursue "every legal option" to prevent the early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were convicted of PC Andrew Harper's manslaughter.
PC Harper died in 2019 after being dragged behind a getaway car following a quad bike theft. Cole and Bowers were sentenced to 13 years in 2020 and are eligible for release in January 2027 under recent changes to the Sentencing Act, which allow release after serving half of their sentences.
The letter, from police chiefs across Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, welcomed the Prime Minister's earlier statement that he was "confident" the early release could be prevented. They also called for greater consideration of victims when prisoner sentences are altered, particularly in cases involving death or serious violence.
Downing Street has referenced Mr Burnham's previous commitment to do "everything in his power" to prevent the early release of Cole and Bowers. The mother of PC Harper, Debbie Adlam, reportedly expressed hope after a phone call from Downing Street regarding the matter.