NEWLYWED PC DRAGGED TO HIS DEATH
‘Mindless and brutal’ murder of traffic officer run over as he attended burglary
A POLICE officer murdered in a “brutal and mindless” car attack was due to go on his honeymoon within days.
PC Andrew Harper, 28, who married Lissie Beckett just four weeks ago, was responding with a colleague to a reported burglary when he was struck by a car and dragged underneath. The tragic incident happened near the
village of Sulhamstead, Berkshire, on Thursday night. A boy of 13 was among 10 people arrested on suspicion of murder.
The young traffic officer married in a “dream wedding” at the luxurious Ardington House in Oxfordshire just four weeks ago.
Relatives described PC Harper as the “loveliest person that you will ever meet” and Home Secretary Priti Patel said his “incredible bravery and extraordinary sacrifice will not be forgotten”.
A “deeply shocked and appalled” Boris Johnson said the “absolute tragedy” was “the most powerful reminder that police officers up and down the country put themselves at risk every single day to keep us safe”.
Branding PC Harper’s death “a mindless and brutal crime”, the Prime Minister said: “When I think of the bravery that PC Andrew Harper showed in intercepting those criminals, I think of the risks the police run every day to keep us safe.
“The police are uniquely brave and they go towards danger rather than away from it to keep us safe.”
Tributes yesterday flooded in for PC Harper, who first joined Thames Valley Police as a Special Constable in 2010.
His uncle, Dale Shrimpton, said: “We are devastated. He was the loveliest person that you will ever meet. I can’t begin to tell you how we feel.”
PC Harper and his wife, who got engaged in Italy in 2017, were due to go on honeymoon next week.
A photograph shows them smiling as they cut their wedding cake, with a sign next to them saying “happily ever Harper”.
Lissie, who described Andrew as her “best friend”, said their wedding was the “happiest day imaginable”.
She studied at Henley College and runs a print business and gift shop selling hand-made stationery and accessories in nearby Wallingford.
PC Harper’s grandmother Maureen Shrimpton yesterday: “Our grandson Andrew was killed last night while doing his police work. So proud of him.
“Our love goes to his lovely wife, Mum and Dad, brother and all of his family and friends.”
Oxford-born PC Harper was part of the Thames Valley force’s Roads Policing Proactive Unit, based at Abingdon police station.
Last night, Chief Constable John Campbell said: “What we do know is at some point Andrew has been dragged along by a vehicle.
“Andrew was out of his police vehicle at the time.”
Aerial pictures of the crime scene showed one car on the grass verge with another just yards away, surrounded by debris and skid marks. Witnesses said police were seen searching the inside of a grey BMW at the scene.
There was also a trail of blood on the road across the junction.
Witnesses told of a “huge police presence” at a nearby traveller site near Burghfield Common, Berks, and a police van was said to have blocked any access.
They confirmed that ten males aged between 13 and 30 were in custody last night. Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “I’m devastated and appalled by the tragic death of PC Andrew Harper and my thoughts are with his loved ones, colleagues and the community he served with great pride at this immensely difficult time.
“PC Harper died in the line of duty protecting the public. His incredible bravery and extraordinary sacrifice will not be forgotten. Our dedicated police officers go to work every day to serve their communities.
“They are courageous and professional people who confront danger on a daily basis.
“The risks they take to keep us all safe are enormous.
“As Home Secretary, I’ll do everything in my power to support them and crack-down on the cowardly criminals who commit appalling acts of violence.”
Mr Harper’s family was being supported by specialist police officers last night.
Andy Fiddler, of the Thames Valley Police Federation, said: “This is totally devastating news. All our thoughts – and the thoughts of the entire police family across the UK – are with the family, friends and close colleagues of PC Andrew Harper who died last
‘We will ensure that heroism is never forgotten’
night. Police officers go to work each and every day to do their duty. We are courageous, caring and compassionate.
“We confront danger on a daily basis.
“We know there is a risk when we put on the uniform but we do so as we are proud to protect the public.
“Sadly on very rare and horrendous occasions a colleague makes the ultimate sacrifice.
“We will ensure that heroism is never forgotten.” Sally Benatar, who leads the Metropolitan Police force’s South-west basic command units, said she knew PC Harper when he was on the Thames Valley Police Response team.
She said: “He was brilliant and gave me the courage to take steps to change my life.
“I can’t thank him enough. He was a top officer.”
PC Harper’s death comes after PC Stuart Outten, 28, was attacked with a machete in London last week, and just days after PC Gareth Phillips, 42, suffered “potentially life-changing” injuries after he was run over by a suspected car thief in Birmingham.
The Daily Express this week revealed officers are being injured on duty at a rate of 28 a day.
Bobbies were victims of 10,399 assaults that caused injuries last year – up 32 per cent from 7,903 recorded in 2015/16.