Detectives given extra 36 hours to quiz suspects in death of Pc Andrew Harper
The newlywed officer, 28, died of multiple injuries while investigating a burglary in Berkshire on Thursday night.
Detectives investigating the murder of Pc Andrew Harper have been granted an extra 36 hours to question 10 suspects, including a 13-year-old boy.
The newlywed police officer, 28, died of multiple injuries after he was dragged along by a vehicle while investigating a burglary reported in the village of Bradfield Southend, Berkshire, on Thursday night.
The 10 suspects – aged between 13 and 30 – were arrested at the Four Houses Corner caravan park, near Burghfield Common, within an hour of the incident, Detective Superintendent Ailsa Kent said on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Pc Harper’s father has told how the family have been left “devastated” by the death.
Philip Harper also told Sky News “we’re in a bad place”.
One message described the officer as “Thames Valley’s finest”.
Another tribute read: “A shockingly sad day. We come together as a brotherhood at times like this and hopefully your family can take some comfort from that love and support.”
He added that the officer “only married four weeks ago”, and pictures show Pc Harper and his new wife Lissie celebrating their wedding at the award-winning stately venue Ardington House, a Georgian manor in Oxfordshire set in gardens and parkland.
Relatives described the day as a “dream wedding”.
Mr Campbell said Pc Harper was a “highly regarded, popular member of the team”, adding: “Everybody I’ve spoken to about Andrew talked about the incredible personality he was, what a fantastic police officer, and what a great friend and man he was, and he’ll be sorely missed by everybody.”
Mr Campbell extended his thanks to the officers and other emergency services who attended the incident for their support and professionalism at what was an “obviously distressing scene”.
Pc Harper is the first officer to be killed on duty since March 2017, when unarmed Pc Keith Palmer was stabbed by Khalid Masood during the Westminster Bridge terror attack.
The Berkshire incident came after a police constable was run over by a suspected car thief in Birmingham last week.
The married 42-year-old traffic officer from West Midlands Police is facing “potentially life-changing” injuries, a senior officer told the PA news agency.
That came just days after Metropolitan Police constable Stuart Outten, 28, was left with head and hand injuries after challenging a motor offences suspect allegedly armed with a machete in Leyton, east London.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the death of Pc Harper a “mindless and brutal” crime, saying he was “shocked and appalled” by the attack.
Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call police on 101.
