Killing of Andrew Harper

{{short description|British police officer killed in the line of duty}}

{{Infobox police officer

|name = Andrew Harper

|image =

|caption =

|birth_date = 22 March 1991

|birth_place =

|death_date = {{Death date and age|2019|8|15|1991|3|22|df=y}}

|death_place = Sulhamstead, Berkshire, England

|module=

{{Infobox person

| child = yes

| death_cause =

}}

|badgenumber =

|known_for = Homicide victim

|department = Thames Valley Police

|service = United Kingdom

|serviceyears = 2010–2019

|rank = Police Constable

|awards =

|spouse = Lissie Harper (m. 2019)

}}

On 15 August 2019, police constable Andrew Harper was killed near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, England in the line of duty. Harper and a fellow officer were responding to a report of a burglary, after which Harper was dragged behind a car for a mile (1.6 km), causing his death. In July 2020, three teenage males were found guilty of manslaughter and received sentences of 16 and 13 years imprisonment. They were acquitted on the charge of murder. Harper's killing led to the passing of "Harper's Law", which introduced a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for anyone convicted of killing emergency workers.

Background

Andrew James Harper (22 March 1991 – 15 August 2019){{cite news |last1=Fort |first1=Hugh |title=PC Harper's mum adds name to petition on 'miscarriage of justice' |url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/pc-andrew-harpers-mother-adds-18674818 |accessdate=31 July 2020 |work=Berkshire Live |date=28 July 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Dearden |first1=Lizzie |title='Brave and dedicated' PC Andrew Harper answered fatal call four hours after end of shift |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/andrew-harper-police-officer-killed-married-brave-duty-a9636141.html |accessdate=31 July 2020 |work=The Independent |date=24 July 2020}} grew up in Wallingford.{{cite news |title=Family hails 'hero' PC as police fall silent |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-49446405 |accessdate=11 March 2020 |work=BBC News |date=23 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007100105/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-49446405 |archive-date=7 October 2019 |url-status=live }} He was educated at The Henley College, where he showed an ambition for joining the police.{{cite news |title=College pays tribute to murdered officer |url=https://henleystandard.co.uk/news/henley-college/143064/college-pays-tribute-to-murdered-officer.html |accessdate=4 August 2020 |work=Henley Standard |date=22 August 2019}}

Harper initially joined Thames Valley Police as a special constable in 2010 at the age of 19, before joining as a regular police constable in 2011. He joined Thames Valley Police's road policing unit approximately six weeks before his death,{{cite news |last1=Pennink |first1=Emily |last2=Hughes |first2=Ian |title=PC Andrew Harper murder trial shown footage of search for police officer |url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/pc-andrew-harper-murder-trial-17923961 |accessdate=17 March 2020 |work=Berkshire Live |date=13 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317200301/https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/pc-andrew-harper-murder-trial-17923961 |archive-date=17 March 2020 |url-status=live }} and was based at the force's Abingdon station.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Simon |title=PC Andrew Harper murder inquiry: police search caravan site |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/17/police-search-extends-to-3-miles-from-site-of-pc-andrew-harper-death |accessdate=26 March 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=17 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326085009/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/17/police-search-extends-to-3-miles-from-site-of-pc-andrew-harper-death |archive-date=26 March 2020 |url-status=live }} On 18 July 2019, Harper married his partner of 13 years, Lissie (née Beckett).{{cite news |last1=Paterson |first1=Fiona |title=The emotional message PC Harper's widow wrote after Ride of Respect |url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/pc-andrew-harper-widow-ride-17167228 |accessdate=30 June 2020 |work=Berkshire Live |date=30 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630103035/https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/pc-andrew-harper-widow-ride-17167228 |archive-date=30 June 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Widow thanks 5,000 bikers who joined PC's tribute |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-50210822 |accessdate=26 March 2020 |work=BBC News |date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328174400/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-50210822 |archive-date=28 March 2020 |url-status=live }} They had been expecting to go on their honeymoon in mid-August.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Rebecca |title='So proud of him': Tributes to newlywed killed in the line of duty |url=https://news.sky.com/story/officer-killed-in-line-of-duty-was-newlywed-due-to-go-on-his-honeymoon-11786723 |accessdate=17 March 2020 |work=Sky News |date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202120443/https://news.sky.com/story/officer-killed-in-line-of-duty-was-newlywed-due-to-go-on-his-honeymoon-11786723 |archive-date=2 December 2019 |url-status=live }}

Incident

At 23:17 on 15 August 2019, Thames Valley Police received a 999 call from a property near Stanford Dingley, Berkshire, reporting a burglary-in-progress and theft of a quad bike.{{cite news |title=PC murder trial hears quad bike owner's 999 call |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-51852922 |accessdate=12 March 2020 |work=BBC News |date=12 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312151602/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-51852922 |archive-date=12 March 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Way |first1=Fran |title=PC Harper dragged along more than a mile to his death, court hears |url=https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/18294411.pc-andrew-harper-murder-trial-old-bailey/ |accessdate=12 March 2020 |work=Reading Chronicle |agency=Newsquest Media Group |date=10 March 2020}} Harper and fellow constable Andrew Shaw, who were finishing a surveillance shift in Reading, responded to the call in their unmarked BMW police car; Harper was the passenger.{{cite news |last1=Thorne |first1=Lucy |title=Police release PC Andrew Harper's cause of death |url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/police-release-pc-andrew-harpers-16773535 |accessdate=11 March 2020 |work=Berkshire Live |date=17 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130201152/https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/police-release-pc-andrew-harpers-16773535 |archive-date=30 November 2019 |url-status=live }} At 23:28,{{efn|name=dashcam|Timing per dashcam footage from Shaw and Harper's patrol car}} Shaw and Harper were passed on the road by a SEAT Toledo towing the stolen quad bike on Admoor Lane near Bradfield Southend. They also witnessed a person running towards and climbing into the passenger seat. Harper left the police vehicle and ran to the suspects in an attempt to catch the passenger before they could make a getaway.{{cite news |title=Dashcam footage from killed PC's car shown to jury |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-51851431 |accessdate=13 March 2020 |work=BBC News |date=13 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313172412/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-51851431 |archive-date=13 March 2020 |url-status=live }} In doing so, he was caught in a strap{{efn|The type of strap has been variously identified as either a crane strap,{{cite news |title=PC Andrew Harper's body seen 'tumbling' in road, court hears |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/16/pc-andrew-harpers-body-seen-tumbling-in-road-court-hears |accessdate=16 March 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=16 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316143533/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/16/pc-andrew-harpers-body-seen-tumbling-in-road-court-hears |archive-date=16 March 2020 |url-status=live }} a ratchet strap,{{cite news |title=Colleague 'could not recognise' killed PC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-51908735 |accessdate=16 March 2020 |work=BBC News |date=16 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316135355/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-51908735 |archive-date=16 March 2020 |url-status=live }} a "towing strap",{{cite news |title=Self-isolating jurors discharged in PC death trial |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-51963906 |accessdate=20 March 2020 |work=BBC News |date=19 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320161538/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-51963906 |archive-date=20 March 2020 |url-status=live }} or a tow rope.{{cite news |title=Officer describes moment PC Andrew Harper was dragged by car |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/13/officer-describes-moment-pc-andrew-harper-was-dragged-by-car |accessdate=30 June 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=13 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630103310/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/13/officer-describes-moment-pc-andrew-harper-was-dragged-by-car |archive-date=30 June 2020 |url-status=live }}}} that had been used to tow the quad bike. With the quad bike no longer attached, the suspects drove south-east on Lambden's Hill with Harper "lassoed" to the rear of the SEAT.{{cite news |title=PC was 'dragged behind car for more than a mile' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-51801840 |accessdate=11 March 2020 |work=BBC News |date=10 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311003030/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-51801840 |archive-date=11 March 2020 |url-status=live }}

Shaw lost sight of the SEAT but in his pursuit came across Harper's stab vest in the road. The SEAT, with Harper still being dragged behind, arrived at the lane's junction with the A4 Bath Road—approximately {{convert|1|mi}} from where the police came upon the suspects. It crossed the A4 into Ufton Lane near Sulhamstead, and Harper became disentangled. At 23:30,{{efn|name=dashcam}} Shaw received a radio transmission from another responding officer which warned of "a body in the road"; Shaw replied that he believed the body was that of Harper. Shaw arrived at the location to find another officer tending to Harper,{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Margaret |last2=Pennink |first2=Emily |title=Police officer dragged behind car for more than a mile in 'completely senseless killing', court hears |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/andrew-harper-police-officer-murder-trial-old-bailey-a9389996.html |accessdate=11 March 2020 |work=The Independent |date=10 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311140535/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/andrew-harper-police-officer-murder-trial-old-bailey-a9389996.html |archive-date=11 March 2020 |url-status=live }} who was pronounced dead by paramedics at 23:45.

A police helicopter using thermal imaging found the SEAT at Four Houses Corner, a travellers' caravan site,{{cite news |last1=Perrin |first1=Isabella |title=PC Andrew Harper: Ten remain in custody as traveller site is raided |url=https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/17843818.police-raid-four-houses-corner-travellers-39-site-west-berkshire-part-murder-probe/ |accessdate=16 March 2020 |work=Reading Chronicle |date=17 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002030004/https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/17843818.police-raid-four-houses-corner-travellers-39-site-west-berkshire-part-murder-probe/ |archive-date=2 October 2019 |url-status=live }} near Burghfield Common.{{cite news |last1=Fort |first1=Linda |title=Family of seven about to lose their home on traveller site gain a day's reprieve |url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/family-seven-lose-home-traveller-10253958 |accessdate=16 March 2020 |work=Berkshire Live |date=14 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817214329/https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/family-seven-lose-home-traveller-10253958 |archive-date=17 August 2019 |url-status=live }}

Investigation and legal proceedings

At 00:50 on 16 August, police arrested an 18-year-old male and a 17-year-old male at the caravan site. In a separate operation, a 20-year-old man from Pingewood was arrested on suspicion of murder.{{cite news |last1=Grierson |first1=Jamie |title=Charges dropped against man accused of PC Andrew Harper murder |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/19/charges-dropped-against-man-accused-of-pc-andrew-harper |accessdate=11 March 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=19 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927153124/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/19/charges-dropped-against-man-accused-of-pc-andrew-harper |archive-date=27 September 2019 |url-status=live }} A second 17-year-old male was also later arrested. Media reported that in total, 10 males aged between 13 and 30 had been arrested. On 19 August, the 20-year-old was charged with murder.

On 17 August, Thames Valley Police's Major Crimes Unit stated that a post mortem performed the previous day gave Harper's cause of death as "multiple injuries", which was congruent with their theory that he had been "caught between a vehicle and the road, and then dragged for a distance". The post mortem also showed that Harper had sustained a "very severe" brain injury;{{cite news |title=PC Harper murder trial: Officer died in 'shocking circumstances' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-53139153 |accessdate=23 June 2020 |work=BBC News |date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623112250/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-53139153 |archive-date=23 June 2020 |url-status=live }} a pathologist stated that it was likely Harper lost consciousness when he fell to the ground. Investigations showed that Harper was dragged {{convert|1|mile}} in 91 seconds, with the defendants averaging {{convert|42.5|mph}}.

On 18 September, 18-year-old Henry Long and 17-year-olds Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were charged with murder. A fourth male, a 21-year-old from Basingstoke, was charged with conspiracy to steal a quad bike and subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge.{{cite web |title=CPS further update in relation to the investigation into PC Harper's death {{!}} The Crown Prosecution Service |url=https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/cps-further-update-relation-investigation-pc-harpers-death |website=www.cps.gov.uk |publisher=Crown Prosecution Service |accessdate=11 March 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Gayle |first1=Damien |title=PC Andrew Harper murder trial: two admit plot to steal quad bike |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/09/pc-andrew-harper-trial-quad-bike-old-bailey |accessdate=12 March 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=9 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310180711/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/09/pc-andrew-harper-trial-quad-bike-old-bailey |archive-date=10 March 2020 |url-status=live }} On 19 September, the Crown Prosecution Service said that they had discontinued the case against a fifth defendant, a 20-year-old who had previously been charged with the murder.

Trial

The murder trial, presided over by Mr. Justice Andrew Edis, began at the Old Bailey on 10 March 2020.{{cite news |last1=Way |first1=Fran |title=PC Andrew Harper murder trial on hold |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18314901.pc-andrew-harper-murder-trial-hold-jurors-horrific-cold/ |accessdate=19 March 2020 |work=Oxford Mail |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319083804/https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18314901.pc-andrew-harper-murder-trial-hold-jurors-horrific-cold/ |archive-date=19 March 2020 |url-status=live }} Bowers and Cole—both minors at the time of the offence and originally protected by Section 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933—pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal a quad bike but denied manslaughter.{{cite news |title=PC murder accused teens admit bike theft plot |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-51801834 |accessdate=11 March 2020 |work=BBC News |date=9 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310180555/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-51801834 |archive-date=10 March 2020 |url-status=live }} Long, who was driving the SEAT, had previously admitted manslaughter and conspiracy to steal a quad bike. All three defendants denied murder.

On 13 March, the court heard that all parties agreed that the police constable first to attend to Harper on the A4 did not strike him with his vehicle, contrary to early reports of the incident.{{cite news |last=Brown |first=David |last2=Simpson |first2=John |last3=Karim |first3=Fariha |last4=Shukman |first4=Harry |date=17 August 2019 |title='Murdered' PC Andrew Harper was hit by police car |work=The Sunday Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/murdered-pc-andrew-harper-was-hit-by-police-car-9jj39nk3s |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425095115/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/murdered-pc-andrew-harper-was-hit-by-police-car-9jj39nk3s |archive-date=25 April 2023}}{{cite news |title=Three teenagers charged with murder of PC Andrew Harper |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/18/three-teenagers-charged-with-murder-of-pc-andrew-harper |accessdate=17 March 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=18 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317200303/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/18/three-teenagers-charged-with-murder-of-pc-andrew-harper |archive-date=17 March 2020 |url-status=live }}

The trial was temporarily suspended on 17 and 18 March as a member of the jury was unwell. The trial, which was being held during the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed on 19 March after two of the jurors were discharged because they were self-isolating. On 23 March, along with all other jury trials in England and Wales, the trial was suspended pending a review of operations amid the spread of COVID-19.{{cite news |last1=Aldridge |first1=James |title=PC Andrew Harper murder trial suspended |url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/pc-andrew-harper-murder-trial-17963675 |accessdate=23 March 2020 |work=Berkshire Live |date=23 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323120544/https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/pc-andrew-harper-murder-trial-17963675 |archive-date=23 March 2020 |url-status=live }} During this subsequently abandoned trial, Thames Valley Police said they had received intelligence suggesting possible jury intimidation.{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Martin |title=PC Harper: Three teenagers who dragged newly married officer to his death show no remorse as they are jailed |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/31/pc-harper-three-teenagers-dragged-newly-married-officer-death/ |accessdate=31 July 2020 |work=The Telegraph |date=31 July 2020}}

A retrial began on 23 June following changes to the UK's COVID-19 lockdown.{{cite news |title=PC Andrew Harper murder trial: Case of 'utmost importance', court told |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-53139147 |accessdate=23 June 2020 |work=BBC News |date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626043017/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-53139147 |archive-date=26 June 2020 |url-status=live }} On 20 July, a juror was discharged after a prison officer reported that she had mouthed "bye boys" to the defendants in the courtroom.{{cite news |title=PC Andrew Harper's widow writes to PM asking for retrial of killers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2020/jul/29/pc-andrew-harper-widow-writes-to-pm-boris-johnson-asking-retrial-killers |accessdate=31 July 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=29 July 2020}} The following day, the 11-person jury retired to deliberate.{{cite news |title=Jury retires in police officer murder trial |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-53490448 |accessdate=31 July 2020 |work=BBC News |date=21 July 2020}} On 24 July, the three defendants were cleared of murder. Long had pleaded guilty to, and Bowers and Cole were found guilty of, manslaughter. Harper's widow had made a victim impact statement and later released an open letter, in which she implored Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel to allow a retrial seeking a murder verdict.

On 31 July, Long was sentenced to 16 years and both Bowers and Cole to 13 years in prison.{{cite news |last=Rawlinson |first=Kevin |date=31 July 2020 |title=PC Andrew Harper killing: ringleader sentenced to 16 years in prison |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/31/pc-andrew-harper-killers-sentenced-old-bailey}} In his summary, on the matter as to whether the jury had been subject to any improper pressure, Edis said: "To the best of my knowledge and belief there is no truth in that at all".{{cite news |title=PC Andrew Harper: No truth jurors pressured, says judge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-53611960 |accessdate=31 July 2020 |work=BBC News |date=31 July 2020}} Harper's MP, John Howell, had said that he intended to ask for a review of the sentences.

= Appeals =

On 4 August, the Attorney General's Office said that it had received a request to review the sentences under the unduly lenient sentence scheme.{{cite news |title=Bid to increase PC Harper's killers' sentences |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-53650449 |accessdate=4 August 2020 |work=BBC News |date=4 August 2020}} On 19 August, Bowers and Cole made applications for permission to appeal against their convictions for manslaughter, and against the sentences that they had received.{{cite news |title=Two of PC Andrew Harper's killers to appeal against convictions |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-53838089 |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=BBC News |date=19 August 2020}} On 21 August, the Attorney General applied for permission to refer the killers' sentences to the Court of Appeal on the basis that they were "unduly lenient".{{cite news |title=PC Andrew Harper: Killers' sentences to be reviewed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-53862037 |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=BBC News |date=21 August 2020}} On 28 August, Long applied for permission to appeal against his sentence, on the basis that it was too severe.{{Cite news |date=28 August 2020 |title=PC Andrew Harper: Henry Long to appeal against manslaughter sentence |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-53947599 |access-date=17 November 2020}}

The applications made by the defendants and by the Attorney General were heard by the Court of Appeal on 30 November 2020.{{cite news |title=Killer of PC Andrew Harper 'should get life sentence' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-55129444 |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=BBC News |date=30 November 2020}}

On 16 December, the Court of Appeal granted permission for Bowers and Cole to appeal their sentences to enable the Court of Appeal to correct an error made in their sentencing for the offence of conspiracy to steal. Their sentences for manslaughter were not altered; as their sentences for conspiracy to steal and for manslaughter were to run concurrently, their overall sentences were not affected. The Attorney General dismissed all other applications.{{Cite BAILII |litigants=R v Long & Ors |court=EWCA |division=Crim |year=2020 |num=1729 |date=16 December 2020 |parallelcite=[2021] 4 WLR 5, [2021] 1 Cr App R 19 }}

Legacy

Harper's funeral was held on 14 October 2019 at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. Members of the public lined the streets to watch the funeral procession,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-oxfordshire-50033210 |title=PC Andrew Harper: Hundreds of mourners attend funeral |work=BBC News |date=14 October 2019 |accessdate=24 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014230854/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-oxfordshire-50033210 |archive-date=14 October 2019 |url-status=live}} and over 800 people attended the service including Home Secretary Priti Patel and Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran—both of whom later paid respect to Harper in the House of Commons.{{Cite Hansard|house=House of Commons |title=Public Services |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-10-16/debates/9D453F6A-FA61-4766-AC0D-2FF8D4E32B3B/PublicServices |date=16 October 2019 |column_start=279 |column_end=280}}

On 27 October 2019, 5,000 motorcyclists took part in a "ride of respect" between RAF Benson and Abingdon Airfield. On 28 January 2020, Harper was given a posthumous award by the Police Federation of England and Wales.{{cite news |last1=Knight |first1=Alice |title=Wife of fallen police officer accepts posthumous honour award in his memory |url=https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/18194951.pc-andrew-harper-given-posthumous-honour-award-police-federation/ |accessdate=26 March 2020 |work=Reading Chronicle |date=29 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326085011/https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/18194951.pc-andrew-harper-given-posthumous-honour-award-police-federation/ |archive-date=26 March 2020 |url-status=live }} In June 2020, Thames Valley Police have named the newest horse of their mounted section "Harper" as a tribute.{{cite news |title=Police horse named Harper after killed officer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-53108134 |accessdate=24 June 2020 |work=BBC News |date=19 June 2020}} In 2025, the Police Memorial Trust announced that a memorial to Harper would be installed at Forbury Gardens in Reading.{{cite news |title=Memorial approved in honour of PC Andrew Harper |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y6lpd5vy4o |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=BBC News |date=15 April 2025}}

= Harper's Law =

In August 2020, Harper's widow launched a campaign for a new law which would require life imprisonment for criminals whose actions result in the death of any police officer, prison officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor, or paramedic. Separately, Harper's mother launched a campaign to require killers of police officers to receive minimum jail terms of 20 years.{{cite news |last1=Grierson |first1=Jamie |title=PC Andrew Harper's widow launches 'Andrew's Law' campaign |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2020/aug/05/pc-andrew-harpers-widow-launches-andrews-law-campaign#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20hope%20that%20by%20creating,justice%20that%20they%20rightly%20deserve.%E2%80%9D |accessdate=6 August 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=5 August 2020 |language=en}}

On 24 November 2021, the Ministry of Justice announced that they would introduce "Harper's Law", a bill extending mandatory life sentences to "anyone who commits the manslaughter of an emergency worker on duty – including police, prison officers, firefighters and paramedics – while carrying out another crime unless there are truly exceptional circumstances."{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-introduce-harper-s-law|title=Government to introduce 'Harper's Law'|website=Gov.uk|date=24 November 2021}} The law was added to the statute book on 28 April 2022 as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022{{Cite web |title=Boost for public safety as four justice bills receive Royal Assent |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/boost-for-public-safety-as-four-justice-bills-receive-royal-assent |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}} and is now law. Both the Home Secretary Priti Patel and the Justice Secretary Dominic Raab credited Lissie Harper's campaign with convincing them to pass the law. Harper's Law did not affect the sentences of the three men already imprisoned for killing Andrew Harper.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/nov/24/harpers-law-will-not-be-retrospective-says-dominic-raab|title='Harper's law' will not be retrospective, says Raab, as lawyers express disquiet|website=The Guardian|date=24 November 2021|last1=Syal|first1=Rajeev|last2=Weaver|first2=Matthew}}