Jessie Cole (left) and Albert Bowers Policing chiefs from across the UK have piled pressure on Andy Burnham to use “every lawful option” to stop the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers. A letter from 50 senior officers and other law enforcement leaders called on the prime minister to “establish an additional public protection safeguard” for the most serious offenders, when future early release schemes are floated. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, Greater Manchester chief constable Stephen Watson and National Crime Agency director general Graeme Biggar are among those who have signed the letter. They said families and victims “must be properly considered whenever significant changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements”. Their intervention came after Burnham ordered justice secretary Alex Norris to find a way to keep Jessie Cole and Albert Bower behind bars. They were sentenced to 13 years for the manslaughter of PC Harper in 2020, but are due to be freed in January under controversial measures to stop prisons running out of spaces. PC Harper was fatally injured when he got caught in a strap attached to the back of a car and was dragged down a country road as the killers fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in 2019. Burnham announced he was pausing the early release scheme two weeks ago following public anger. It was then announced that those convicted of rape, serious child sex offences and grooming offences would not be included in the scheme – but that meant that Cole and Bower would still be released. The letter to Burnham says: “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. “PC Andrew Harper’s case also raises a wider question. “When someone is sentenced for an exceptionally serious offence, how much confidence can victims, bereaved families and the public place in that sentence if subsequent changes to release arrangements result in an offender being released significantly earlier than originally anticipated?” The letter went on: “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.” Speaking on Tuesday, the PM said he is “increasingly confident” PC Harper’s killers will not be released early. He said Norris had been asked to fast-track proposals to create “more headroom” in the prison system, including through deporting more foreign offenders, finding a solution for people on indeterminate sentences and using cells previously holding female inmates to accommodate male offenders. Burnham previously said he had “pushed the very limits” in the changes he had made to the early release scheme, but has now said he can go further. Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... 'We Are Devastated': Mother Of Dead Police Officer Furious As Killers Freed Early Andy Burnham Orders Minister To Find Way To Keep Police Officer's Killers In Jail Burnham Slaps Down Streeting And Mahmood Over Early Release Joke Caught On Hot Mic