THE National Police Chiefs’ Council has become the latest police organisation to lend its backing to the Harper's Law campaign, organised by his widow Lissie.

NPCC Chairman Martin Hewitt met with Lissie as well as Andy Fiddler from Thames Valley Police (TVP) Federation on Monday, October 5, to hear more about the campaign and to offer the organisation's support.

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He said: "It was good to have the chance to meet with Lissie and discuss her campaign for Harper's Law.

"We discussed the detail of the proposed legislation and the work that is being undertaken within the Home Office and Ministry of Justice to progress drafting.

"It was positive to learn of the cross-party and cross policing support that exists.

"Every day, police officers and staff are out in communities keeping people safe, protecting the vulnerable, and dealing with crime and criminals.

"In doing so, they will often place themselves in harm's way to do their duty, and tragically, as we have seen again in recent weeks, that can result in the ultimate sacrifice.

"Those officers and staff deserve the full protection of the criminal justice system, and I support Lissie in driving the consideration on how best this can be achieved."

Harper's Law will mean a person found guilty of killing a police officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor, paramedic or prison officer as a direct result of a crime they have committed would be jailed for life.

This means that a life sentence would be imposed, asking for a minimum term in prison.

It is named in memory of Lissie's husband PC Andrew Harper, who was killed on duty in 2019.

Lissie said: "The National Police Chiefs' Council are clearly an important and influential group, representing Chief Constables across the country.

"They have the ear of politicians and the Home Secretary, and so it was really great to meet with Martin Hewitt and talk to him about the plans for Harper's Law.

"It was a really positive discussion, and we were happy to explain to Martin what Harper's Law will be and why it is needed to protect our emergency services heroes.

"It's great to hear he is backing our campaign and that he was happy to help and offer support in the future."

This week - at the Conservative Party Conference - Home Secretary Priti Patel gave her commitment to working with Lissie Harper to achieve Harper's Law.

Ms Patel - who met Lissie in September and is scheduled to meet the campaign team again later this month - told the virtual conference that she will continue to work with Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and Lissie "to ensure anyone that kills an emergency worker gets the sentence they deserve."

Lissie added: "Having the vocal support of the Home Secretary for Harper's Law is truly appreciated.

"She shares my revulsion at those who think they can get away with despicable crimes against our emergency services heroes.

"Having the support of the government and those on opposition benches means that if we all work together we can achieve Harper's Law, which would be a fitting legacy to Andrew."

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The campaign has cross party support as the Labour Party has agreed to work with the Home Office and government civil servants on the details of the Harper's Law plans, and a meeting with the Liberal Democrats is upcoming.

Lissie also met with a string of Conservative MPs on Monday, including Dr Kieran Mullan, MP for Crewe and Nantwich Sarah Dines, MP for Derbyshire Dales.

Lissie's campaign has the backing of the Police Federation of England and Wales, the Police Superintendents' Association and The Prison Officers' Association.

She meets with the Fire Brigades Union this week and has a meeting with the Royal College of Nursing upcoming.