Britain’s top cop says justice has not been served in PC Harper case as he pays tribute to 3 officers murdered in 1966

BRITAIN’S top cop paid tribute yesterday to three police officers murdered in cold blood in 1966 — then said the justice meted out to their killers was not served in the case of PC Andrew Harper. Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the victims of an armed robbery gang 60 years ago had died in a “routine moment”, just like Thames Valley officer Andrew who was dragged to his death in 2018. Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley paid tribute to three officers murdered in 1966 and went on to say justice had not been served in the case of PC Andrew Harper Credit: PA Met chief Sir Mark remembers three cops who were killed by armed robbers 60 years ago Credit: Ray Collins But while the 1966 killers had been locked up for a total of 108 years, he said the trust that existed back then in the criminal justice system to do the right thing had been “badly damaged” today. He said: “The State, whose first duty is to protect its citizens, must today remember how to nourish routine policing courage, not to treat it with cavalier disregard.” Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Sir Mark was speaking at a 60th anniversary service at the scene in Shepherd’s Bush, West London, where DS Christopher Head, 30, DC David Wombwell, 25, and PC Geoffrey Fox, 41, were shot dead. The officers, in a Triumph 2000 patrol car, were murdered after pulling over the gang’s motor. PC Geoffrey Fox, 41, was murdered after his patrol car pulled over the gang’s getaway motor in West London Credit: PA:Press Association DS Christopher Head, 30, was also shot dead in the horror attack Credit: PA:Press Association Leader Harry Roberts served 48 years in prison and died last December aged 89. His accomplices John Duddy and John Witney each got at least 30 years. Duddy died in prison in 1981 aged 52. Witney was 69 when beaten to death by his flatmate in 1991, eight years after his release. PC Harper, 28, died in 2019 after being dragged for more than a mile by a getaway car used in a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berks. Sir Mark is one of 50 police chiefs to sign an open letter to PM Andy Burnham urging him to pursue “every legal option” to stop the early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, two of newly-married PC Harper’s three killers. Most read in The Sun DC David Wombwell, 25, also lost his life after being shot by the armed robbers Credit: PA:Press Association Gang leader Harry Roberts served 48 years in prison and died last December aged 89 Credit: Alamy He said: “The case of PC Andrew Harper has left officers across the country angry and upset that the family of a former colleague who lost his life protecting others should be treated so poorly. “It has also left them seriously doubting, in their own routine moments of personal jeopardy, whether they can rely upon such whole-hearted support.” He paid tribute to officers who risk their lives to protect communities, and added: “That is the golden thread that connects today’s officers to Christopher, David and Geoffrey.” Sir Mark, the 1966 victims’ loved ones and policing organisations laid wreaths at a memorial stone at the spot where the officers were killed. Following yesterday’s service, Sir Mark presented Elizabeth Emblem medals to their families. The medals, introduced by King Charles, are for the next of kin of public servants who die in the line of duty. They are inscribed: “For a life given in service.” After his speech, Sir Mark told The Sun it was “good news” PM Burnham said he aimed to stop the early release of Cole and Bowers, who got 13 years each for manslaughter, under changes introduced by the Sentencing Act. EARLY RELEASE 'MURDER RISK' THE possible early release of 5,000 offenders in October could lead to “a serious sexual or violent offence or even murder”, the chief inspector of probation has warned. Martin Jones fears dangerous crims will go unmonitored as his staff already handle 258,000 cases. Duties include checking if lags stick to curfews and stay off drugs. Staff may strike if handed more work. Mr Jones said: “Ultimately I’m not fully confident that the probation system will cope and there’s a risk that things will go wrong.” Comment now