Police officer killed in Berkshire was 'dragged underneath car' and had just married, force reveals

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The police officer who died after being dragged along by a car while investigating a burglary in Berkshire had only got married four weeks earlier, his force has revealed.

Thames Valley Police said it had launched a murder investigation after PC Andrew Harper, a roads policing officer, was “killed while performing his duties”.

The 28-year-old was with a fellow officer when he responded to an incident near the A4 between Reading and Newbury at around 11.30pm on Thursday.

Detectives have arrested 10 people, including a 13-year-old boy, on suspicion of murder and taken them into police custody.

“We are all shocked and saddened by the death of our colleague,” said Thames Valley chief constable John Campbell. “The officer was well-known across the force so it is felt very personally and it is felt very personally by the whole police family across the UK.”​

“We have to examine and establish the exact cause of death for Andrew, and there’s a post-mortem taking place as we speak,“ added Mr Campbell.

“What we do know is Andrew had been dragged along by a vehicle.“

Prime minister Boris Johnson said he was “deeply shocked and appalled“ by the death of PC Harper, the latest in a series of attacks on police.

Home secretary Priti Patel issued a statement saying the officer “died in the line of duty protecting the public and his incredible bravery and extraordinary sacrifice will not be forgotten.“

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson also sent their sympathies to PC Harper’s family and colleagues, while the US ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson said “we should never forget the danger our police put themselves in in order to keep us safe.”

Richard Benyon, Conservative MP for Newbury, said: “This is an absolute tragedy for Andrew Harper’s family and loved ones. We hope those responsible will be brought to justice.”

The officer joined the force a special constable in 2010 before becoming a police constable a year later, serving in the roads policing proactive unit based at Abingdon police station.

He married his wife Lissie at Ardington House in Oxfordshire in July, just four weeks before his death.

His grandmother Maureen Shrimpton paid tribute on Facebook, writing: “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.”

PC Harper is the first officer to be killed on duty since March 2017, when PC Keith Palmer was stabbed by Khalid Masood during the Westminster Bridge terror attack.

The incident came in the same fortnight as a police officer being attacked with a machete in Leyton, east London, and another being run over in Birmingham in an alleged attempted murder.

Mr Johnson has repeatedly highlighted the risks police face in recent weeks while announcing he would recruit an extra 20,000 officers to restore numbers to the level they were at before Tory cuts.

Mr Corbyn, speaking during a visit to Wales, said the death highlighted the need for a boost to police numbers.

Holly Lynch, who has campaigned in Parliament for better protection for emergency workers, said she was “absolutely sickened“ by PC Harper’s death, as she highlighted the spate of attacks.

“Boris promises too little too late for these cops, this Government has presided over the demise of law and order,” the Labour MP said.

“In the current climate, single crewing has to end, sentences must be a deterrent and we need to roll out protective equipment including Taser to those who want it and are trained to use it.

“Only when officers are safe can they keep communities safe.”

Additional reporting PA