The North Yorkshire Police Federation said it was “saddened and angered” that two of police officer Andrew Harper’s killers were being considered for early release before Andy Burnham said he would “put a pause” on the plans.
PC Harper, 28, sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019.
The driver of the vehicle which caused PC Harper’s death, Henry Long, received a 16-year sentence, and was not be eligible for early release.
But early release was previously on the cards for Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were passengers in the car and handed 13 years in custody for manslaughter after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2020.
Before the prime minister said he would pause the scheme, both men were eligible to be released from prison after serving half of their sentences, rather than two-thirds.
Under the new Sentencing Act, set to come into force in September, some 6,000 criminals were due to be released under the early prison release scheme.
North Yorkshire Police Federation’s secretary, Tony Barnes, said violent offenders who target police officers “must be excluded from early release schemes”, adding: “It is time for the government to show that its support for police officer safety is about more than just words.”
“We are saddened and angered by the news that two of the men convicted of PC Andrew Harper's manslaughter are to be released early,” he said before Mr Burnham's announcement.
“I’m sure those feelings are also felt by many police officers and members of the public across the country.”
Mr Barnes added: "Our thoughts remain firmly with PC Harper’s family, friends and everyone who served alongside him.
“We want them to know they are not alone and that the policing family continues to stand with them."
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Mr Burnham said on Thursday (July 23): “Keeping the public safe will always be my top priority.
“I am working closely with the new Justice Secretary and have instructed my team to put a pause on the changes that were due to start in September.
“No prisoners will be let out under this policy until we have conducted an urgent review and done everything we can to minimise risk to the public.
“Where changes are needed, we will not hesitate to make them.”
It came after the family of PC Harper also criticised the fact that two of his killers were being considered for early release.
Lissie Harper, his widow, described the scheme as “deplorable”.
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