Staggering:
Just down the road from me, very sad.
A tragic case, awful for his family and colleagues.
I'm afraid I'm not really surprised though. Increasing crime, increasing violent crime, and reduced Police resources means fewer officers dealing with more - potentially violent - incidents.
The Police are not without some very vocal critics on here, and sometimes with good reason, but I'd hope that this awful incident will make people appreciate the awful job that society expects them, the other emergency services, prison officers and other front line workers to have to do.
Terrible.
The only redeeming thing is that this is still a relatively rare event that people find shocking.
Horrible. I've seen some things on news sites that suggests he was knocked down and dragged under a car, along with a photo of quite a long trail of blood. What an awful way to go.
The officer in Birmingham who was run over last week could have ended up the same.
I imagine they'll struggle to get a murder charge to stick though*. If they can ID the driver then they'll admit to death by dangerous driving, it'll be explained as trying to flee, accidentally hit the officer and didn't realise he was under the car, with no proof they intended to hurt or kill anyone. If they can't ID the driver I don't know if the joint venture laws apply to driving offences.
*For clarity, I don't want that to be the case, I just think it's what will happen.
I imagine they’ll struggle to get a murder charge to stick though
Yeah, I started the thread a bit too sharpish. Seems this wasn't a murder in the sense that the initial media stories implied.
Tragic, but *probably* not deliberate on the part of the perpetrator.
^^^ has that been mis posted^^^
It certainly can be murder if there is evidence that the driver deliberately hit him. We have a similar case going to court later this year, although thankfully the charge there is attempted murder.
As above. Impossible to say whether or not there is sufficient to prosecute for murder from what is being reported. We know almost nothing of the facts of the case at this stage.
RIP to a colleague.
I know the location, it's near one of my regular road routes and I used to commute past when I worked in Newbury...
Co-worker reckons there was a lot of police activity this morning near one of the local villages, he seemed to imply there was a traveler connection, but I'm not sure he was basing that on much in the way of known facts...
Very sad event whatever the circumstances. My thoughts are with his family.
If they deliberately mowed down the policeman and then carried on driving - then 100% intention.
In Newcastle two days ago a solicitor was stabbed to death in the broad daylight at the busy shopping centre where I used to walk pass almost everyday.
Tory Britain for you.
You mean pseudo Tory? If it is real Tory there would be capital punishment.
The power to stop and search was taken away or reduce drastically long time ago due to complaints from certain people for infringing on their human rights so there you go.
"The power to stop and search was taken away long time ago"
...by Theresa May, the Conservative Home Secretary. To further her aim of a mixed civilian, privatised police force and a paramilitary armed forces (like the gendarmerie). A very Conservative ideal.
Back on topic, there was a similar case recently that went to trial and sentencing but I recall the case being controversial for the lenient sentence. Anyone else remember?
You'd hope if someone has deliberately ran someone over they'd be charged with murder, but you seem to be able to plough over cyclist without so much as a slap on the wrist. So I'm sceptical.
If it is travellers they'll no doubt get the 14 year old to take the blame.
This is the case I was thinking of, some more detail on what happened and the appeal court reasoning..
The police arrested 10 people under a murder investigation, now they are calling it a "tragic incident" - I fear politics is playing a role here and that this brave officer's family will not get the justice they deserve. I hope I'm wrong.
This is Thames Valley. Unlike the Met the senior ranks will throw the rank and file under a bus at the drop of a hat.
Guaranteed to be an incident involving Travellers,with that many people and with participants that young
– I fear politics is playing a role here
What politics?
Saw the news this evening, scum.
It tugged the heart strings. Very sad indeed.
Thoughts are with his wife and family.
The power to stop and search was taken away or reduce drastically long time ago
And Priti Vacant's offer of increased S60 powers was turned down by WMP just recently as they said they had sufficient powers under the previous iteration to do their job properly. Extra powers are not required when there are insufficient people on foot to carry out the job it just leads to more blind-eyes being turned.
The thoughts of GMP are with you and your colleagues at TVP siwhite.
look out for yourself and your colleagues. My Mrs is still very much involved in Peer Support despite having left after 21years. I'm sure she would be able to offer some good advice if you know any of those closely affected.
The same sentiments as Bregante, @siwhite. All the best at this terrible time from an Avon and Somerset colleague.
Likewise from Scotland
Gypsies think they’re a law unto themselves - it won’t bring a loved one back but can only hope the family gets the justice it deserves
We’re well overdue an automatic doubling of custodial sentences for any assaults or worse inflicted on frontline emergency service workers.
It’s the least we could do given the complete scum they now have to deal with on our behalf.
you seem to be able to plough over cyclist without so much as a slap on the wrist.
Exactly, but this was a police officer so the response is massively different.......................
Absolutely tragic I’ve a huge respect for the police working alongside them regularly. Thoughts with his family and colleagues.
you seem to be able to plough over cyclist without so much as a slap on the wrist.
Exactly, but this was a police officer so the response is massively different…………………..
No not massively different because it was a police officer... massively different because one is an example of an accident with no intent, one is not an accident with intent to mame or kill. So couldn’t be more different. Plenty of examples of non police officers being deliberately run down by cars where murder or attempted murder charges have been brought and stuck. The weapon matters not, wether its a car, knife or gun it’s irrelevant.
Don’t understand this disrespect for police a lot of people have. Sure there are some bad eggs and some parts are institutionally corrupt or have been in the past, but no different to any other organisation. Plenty of examples of doctors and nurses killing people and covering up horrendous systemic failings that have cost the lives of countless people, but we don’t see the same bad attitude to doctors and nurses, just the opposite. No individual or organisation is immune to corruption or abuses of power. That has been proven since humans started to come together and form organisations.
Always a tragedy when people don’t come home from a day in the ‘office’. Even more so if they’re doing it in the line of duty.
Thanks for that wobbliscott - I tried to write something similar yesterday but gave up trying to articulate.
The Police do an unenviable job, and people who would not be prepared to do it themselves are often too quick to criticise. Yes, you may have had a shit experience with the Police, but constantly undermining them to show how edgy you are is a particularly negative.
Gypsies think they’re a law unto themselves –
They are and have been for a long time.
The current instant response when anything happens that thier involved in is call everyone a racist.
The government's insidious politicisation of the police force, begun under New Labour, and escalated by Theresa May, has left it fundamentally unable to protect is own, whilst self-designated minority groups have effectively been granted diplomatic immunity.
RIP to the office and my commiserations to his family, what a tragedy.
I’d also like to say I find it quite nauseating that people jump on a thread such as this and have nothing to more compassionate to say other than to start a political argument.
Yes, this is exactly the reason. I guess we shouldn't be surprised by comments like this during school holidays.
I’d also like to say I find it quite nauseating that people jump on a thread such as this and have nothing to more compassionate to say other than to start a political argument.
Agreed.
But there is a political back story to the current issues faced by the forces, isn’t there.
I noticed nobody reprimanded the political comment "That's Tory Britain for you", but as soon as a non-left wing political comment is posted, it is branded nauseating.
Can we please stop with the politics top trumps folks.
The current instant response when anything happens that thier involved in is call everyone a racist.
Just walked past my LBS and the owner was trying to throw out a gypsy lad (maybe 13) who was in there trying to steal stuff and his response was to call everyone a racist! He then ran into the shop next door to try his luck there; I guess he was spending the day seeing what he could nick from all the shops in the street.
It’s his culture. You need to show more respect.
Awful news. I hope the perpetrators feel the fullest force of the law.
The Reading CC 50 time trial tomorrow has been cancelled as it runs past the scene six times. I was planning to pay my respects after the race.
No not massively different because it was a police officer… massively different because one is an example of an accident with no intent, one is not an accident with intent to mame or kill.
Unless you have inside information, there is no information currently released to show that there was an intent to main or kill.
The fact they've been arrested for murder shows that somebody believes there was intent, and it's now the role of the police to prove that intent so that the CPS will charge.
Gypsies think they’re a law unto themselves – it won’t bring a loved one back but can only hope the family gets the justice it deserves
And you know they’re Gypsies how, exactly? Gypsies are a distinct ethnic group largely from Central Europe, the Roma, hence Romania, which is, in turn, more Romance, ie Italian, than Slavic, like the surrounding countries.
The ‘travellers’ involved in this tragedy, are, most likely, Irish.
And you know they’re Gypsies how, exactly?
The ‘travellers’ involved in this tragedy, are, most likely, Irish.
**** me , pot calling kettle black
Romania? I thought the Romani originated from India, hence the traces left over Hindu/Indian culture.
Wasn’t it named after the Romani when created from parts of Austro - Hungary. It’s main parts are Transylvania and the former country that Vlad Drac was ruler of but the name escapes me right now.
Edit: no. Romania was there before that and would appear to be named after the roman occupation of Dacia.
Also it does seem very harsh writing of a whole ethnic group/ culture because of the actions of a few.
My sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Andrew Harper
The ‘travellers’ involved in this tragedy, are, most likely, Irish.
Or just sound Irish. Lots of them who claim to be Irish have never set foot on Ireland.
^This. In Ireland at the moment and very much in the forefront of the news with equal amounts of disgust and more importantly condolences for the policeman and his family.
Edit: no. Romania was there before that and would appear to be named after the roman occupation of Dacia.
This was something which I wasn’t aware of, I rather assumed that Romania was largely Slavic, like most of the states around it, until I was chatting to one of the regular drivers we have coming in to pick up or drop off cars. His accent placed him in that region, so I asked him where he was from, and during the conversation he said that Romania had more of a connection with Italy, due to the Roman occupation, than Bulgaria, Albania, etc, which are largely Slavic. Lovely bloke.
The local ‘travelers’, who occupy a site just outside of town, pretty much forced the former Roma occupants out through their dreadful behaviour, it wasn’t unusual to see a bunch of police cars parked nearby and a helicopter overhead of a weekend when I drove past to pick up my mate for a beer. The Roma now have a small site to themselves and they’re never any trouble, the others seem to regularly send their kids into B&M where my g/f works to buy small items with £50 notes, which are almost inevitably bogus.
My friend died whilst off duty in a RTC. The police force were brilliant and did loads to help out the family with organising the funeral , wake etc.
He was in the Met , but had also worked out of LGW and Surrey . The funeral was one of the hardest for me , worse than my Dads as he was a friend who was my age . Some officers also had difficulty in containing their emotions
I am sure that this policemans family will also be receiving a great deal of berevement support from the police . Difficult times for all involved and a support network wont take away the shoock and anger , but at least someone will be on hand to talk to, share the burden etc.
Bad times
What has race/ethnicity/religion etc got to do with this? When a bunch of youths in Warrington or Newcastle stab somebody's Dad/Husband/Son to death, no-one mentions ethnicity.
I'm guessing the gypo scum arrested for this are all doing a no comment interview which is why no-ones been charged yet and the police have had more time.
Sensitive coz you can't go around harassing minorities but you can't let the murder of police officer go unpunished.
One now charged, remainder out on bail.
Ok can we stop with the gypsie debate now please.
Jekkyl they were charged earlier.
One now charged, remainder out on bail.
Not much consolation for the loss of a seemingly all round good guy, but deffo good news. Suggests the original BBC 'murder' headline wasn't too far off the mark after all.
Jed Foster:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-49402226
Theres a tribute from his wife on the thames valley police site. Probably a more worthwhile read than discussions about the genetic heritage of the ineffectual prick who killed him. https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/news/thames-valley/news/2019/august/19-08-19/wife-of-pc-andrew-harper-issues-tribute/
Worth quoting:
To my best friend,
The kindest, loveliest, most selfless person you will ever meet. You were brave, funny, and always there for anyone who needed it.
There is not enough paper in the world to even begin to write a tribute for you, but no one deserves it more.
We had so many plans for the future, you wanted to do it all. My darling boy I do not know how I will be able to survive without you.
Anyone who was lucky enough to meet you, whether they knew you as Andrew, Andy, Uncle Mann, Harps or PC Harper ... to everyone you are a hero.
You had the best sense of humour and never took life too seriously. You treasured every moment and always had a smile on your face.
I want to be angry that your job took you away from us but I know you loved it and always wanted to keep everyone safe, especially me. You went the extra mile whenever you could and genuinely cared for everyone.
The lights have dimmed on all of our lives now that you are no longer here, but it’s no surprise that even when you're gone, you're still keeping us all going, knowing that you would tell us to carry on and stay strong.
I can't begin to imagine a life without your silly jokes, size 14 feet, large appetite, big hugs, Sunday roasts, and never faltering positive attitude. You kept me going if I was down and took care of us all until the last.
Even now I can still hear you nagging me to brush my teeth, get dressed and eat something. We are all feeling so very lost without you but we are trying to be as brave as you were.
You have so, so many friends my love and everyone loves you. The messages, support, and kind words about you have been overwhelming and I can't thank everyone enough for that.
You loved music, movies, travel, every animal in the world, messing around with our brothers, and chilling out with our sisters. You loved our families, every single one.
You loved to go on adventures and find new places to explore. If there was a mountain to climb, you'd be there at the top. Bike rides and long walks, you loved it all. Never still, never down, so full of life.
You could fix absolutely anything and always took time to offer help to family, friends and neighbours. A pillar of strength to everyone you met.
My heart is broken without you my sweetheart but my god I feel so lucky that it was me you chose to share your amazing life with. You have imprinted so much love and laughter onto all of our lives and we are honoured for that.
Although we were married for only 28 days before you were cruelly taken away from me, my husband you were perfect. I will never ever stop loving you and I feel so grateful for the happiest thirteen years of my life.
Our superman, our bodyguard, our light in the dark. My god we will miss you. Forever you will be remembered as the best of us.
I will carry your love with me always.
Your loving wife, Lissie x
not quite 14 :/
