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Memorial for PC Andrew Harper given go ahead

James Aldridge
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Martis Media PC Andrew Harper and his wife, Lissie are looking at each other smiling widely. They are in a field which has long reeds of green gras surrounding them. Lissie is hugging PC Harper from behind and leaning over his shoulder to look at him, he is looking over his shoulder. PC Harper has short brown hair and a short brown beard and wears a dark green a blue checked shirt. Lissis has long blonde hair and wears a black denim and shearling lined jacket. She is wearing an engagement ring on her ring finger.Martis Media
The Police Memorial Trust worked with PC Andrew Harper's wife, Lissie, to discuss the plans

A permanent memorial to a police officer killed while on duty is set to be installed in Reading town centre.

PC Andrew Harper was killed while chasing men who had stolen a quad bike on in August 2019.

He became entangled in a rope that was being used to tow the quad bike by car and died from his injuries.

A permanent memorial to PC Harper is now due to be installed next to a statue of Trooper Fred Potts at The Forbury, and will feature a replica of his Thames Valley Police badge.

The installation of the memorial comes after an application by The Police Memorial Trust and was approved by Reading Borough Council in April.

In 2020, Jessie Cole, Henry Long and Albert Bowers were convicted of manslaughter for killing PC Harper, who was from Wallingford in Oxfordshire.

Family Handout A black and white wedding photo of PC Harper he is grinning widely and looks slightly off camera, wearing a white shirt, silk tie and black blazer, with a white rose in the button hole. Behing him are two ornate picture frames in different sizes with landscape paintings.Family Handout
PC Andrew Harper was killed in August 2019 while on duty

A spokesperson for the trust said: "The tragic death of PC Harper was appalling, and the trust immediately began plans to unveil a memorial in his honour.

"The trust held meetings with Mrs Harper and Thames Valley Police to discuss the unveiling of a memorial to her late husband.

"Both Mrs Harper and Thames Valley Police were in full agreement that PC Harper should be remembered this way.

"The trust is honoured to be placing a lasting memorial to the service, bravery and sacrifice of PC Harper."

'Well-respected police officer'

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: "The killing of PC Andrew Harper, whilst on duty, impacted our force, our communities and our nation.

"Andrew was a brave, hard-working and well-respected police officer.

"We are pleased there will be a memorial to honour Andrew and to remind all of us that each and every day police officers and staff put their lives on the line to protect our communities."

The project faced one objection, citing concern about a lack of detail for the position of the memorial.

But the council judged the memorial would be in an appropriate position near other public monuments in the Abbey Quarter, such as the Abbey Gate and the Maiwand Lion.

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