TWO prominent figures in Bradford have backed PC Andrew Harper's widow plea to hand life sentences to anyone guilty of killing emergency service workers.

PC Harper, 28, from Oxfordshire, died from catastrophic injuries after he was dragged behind a getaway car driven by Henry Long in Berkshire last August.

Long, 19, was jailed for 16 years while passengers Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 18, were sentenced to 13 years each.

Lissie Harper, who had only been married to PC Harper for a month, has since launched the campaign for Harper’s Law - a move she feels will offer an "appropriate deterrent and a suitable punishment".

Writing on Change.org, she said: "We ask police officers, firefighters, nurses, doctors, prison officers and paramedics to go out there and keep the Queen’s peace on behalf of society. We ask them to save people’s lives. We ask them to protect us.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

"So society must offer the greatest protection for those dedicated public servants who are killed protecting it.

"The law must be changed. We want to work with the Government, politicians of all parties and the fantastic British public on this.

"We must protect the protectors.

"That is why we need Harper’s Law."

Brian Booth, the chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, said: "Under no circumstances should killers of our valuable Emergency Workers be able to walk free. The tragic case of PC Andrew Harper has again highlighted how the legal system is broken, when Killers receive lenient sentences.

"The shockwave of Andrew’s killing was felt throughout the Policing Family here in West Yorkshire. I attended his funeral in Oxford, on behalf of my colleagues, to pay our respects and it was a very sad day.

"West Yorkshire Police Federation strongly supports Lissie’s Campaign and I would urge all those who value our brave Emergency workers to support it too."

MP Philip Davies (Conservative, Shipley), who has long supported calls for tougher sentences for those who attack emergency workers, also said he would back Harper's Law if a vote went to Parliament.

Earlier this year Mr Davies successfully tabled amendments to the Assault on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill, meaning anyone guilty of assaulting an emergency worker across West Yorkshire could face two years behind bars.

The MP said: "I very much support Harper’s Law. I certainly believe those people who kill Police Officers should spend the rest of their life in prison - and I would certainly support such a move in a vote in Parliament should one take place."

You can sign the petition by clicking here (directs you to Change.org)