Grooming gang members and killers including Pc Harper's to be kept behind bars

Grooming gang members, killers, and those responsible for Pc Andrew Harper's death will be barred from early release from prison under new measures announced by Andy Burnham. The Prime Minister pledged to implement this legislation by the end of the current Parliament. Currently, 5,000 prisoners were set to be released early in September, down from 6,000 after ministers exempted rapists and serious child sex offenders.

However, Bowers and Cole, who were convicted of Pc Harper's manslaughter in 2020, would have been eligible for release next year. The new changes exclude those convicted of unlawful killing, encompassing all forms of manslaughter and death by dangerous driving. Grooming gang perpetrators and indecent assault, an offense for which some child sex offenders were prosecuted before 2003, will also be exempt.

Burnham stated that "hundreds" more individuals will remain incarcerated due to these changes, which will be introduced through secondary legislation at the beginning of the next week.