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PC Andrew Harper: Killed officer 'died of multiple injuries' | PC Andrew Harper: Killed officer 'died of multiple injuries' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Detectives investigating the death of a police officer have said he died of "multiple injuries", as they were given more time to question 10 suspects. | Detectives investigating the death of a police officer have said he died of "multiple injuries", as they were given more time to question 10 suspects. |
PC Andrew Harper, 28, was responding to a burglary report on Thursday in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, when he was dragged along the road by a vehicle. | PC Andrew Harper, 28, was responding to a burglary report on Thursday in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, when he was dragged along the road by a vehicle. |
Ten males aged between 13 and 30 have been arrested on suspicion of murder. | Ten males aged between 13 and 30 have been arrested on suspicion of murder. |
Thames Valley Police said on Saturday it had been granted an extra 36 hours to question the suspects. | Thames Valley Police said on Saturday it had been granted an extra 36 hours to question the suspects. |
PC Harper, who got married four weeks ago, was killed on the A4 Bath Road. | PC Harper, who got married four weeks ago, was killed on the A4 Bath Road. |
Det Supt Ailsa Kent told a press conference: "A post-mortem was carried out on Andrew's body and the cause of death has been recorded as multiple injuries. | Det Supt Ailsa Kent told a press conference: "A post-mortem was carried out on Andrew's body and the cause of death has been recorded as multiple injuries. |
"[That] is consistent with our current belief that Andrew was caught between a vehicle and the road and then dragged for a distance." | "[That] is consistent with our current belief that Andrew was caught between a vehicle and the road and then dragged for a distance." |
Det Supt Kent said it remained unclear how PC Harper "came to be out of his vehicle and then caught under the suspect vehicle". | Det Supt Kent said it remained unclear how PC Harper "came to be out of his vehicle and then caught under the suspect vehicle". |
She said the 10 boys and men had been arrested at council-run caravan and mobile home site, Four Houses Corner, about three miles from where PC Harper died. | She said the 10 boys and men had been arrested at council-run caravan and mobile home site, Four Houses Corner, about three miles from where PC Harper died. |
Officers are carrying out house-to-house inquiries, reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing witnesses and conducting forensic examinations, Det Supt Kent added. | Officers are carrying out house-to-house inquiries, reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing witnesses and conducting forensic examinations, Det Supt Kent added. |
Forensics officers could be seen combing the area as police widened the cordon around the scene earlier. | Forensics officers could be seen combing the area as police widened the cordon around the scene earlier. |
Chief Constable John Campbell said the death of PC Harper had left the entire force "shocked and saddened". | Chief Constable John Campbell said the death of PC Harper had left the entire force "shocked and saddened". |
Mr Campbell said the officer was a "highly regarded, popular member of the team" and his death was a "significant loss" to the force and also to his colleagues and friends. | Mr Campbell said the officer was a "highly regarded, popular member of the team" and his death was a "significant loss" to the force and also to his colleagues and friends. |
A group of officers could be seen gathered around floral tributes reading messages to their fallen colleague. | |
One tribute, accompanied by an image of PC Harper smiling with a friend, said: "Harps, I am truly gutted. A great cop, a great man, a great friend. | |
"There will always be a part of my heart missing now. RIP mate, love you. Chef, Sarah and Harry." | |
Another read: "Such a shocking, mindless, horrific act of brutality. This has been impossible for us to get our heads around. | |
"Pc Harper was a beautiful young soul. A brave man protecting us all and just doing his job." | |
PC Harper, who became a regular officer in 2011 after joining as a special constable a year earlier, had attended the reported break-in at about 23:30 BST with a fellow officer. | |
The officer on duty with PC Harper was not physically injured but is being given emotional support, Thames Valley Police said. | The officer on duty with PC Harper was not physically injured but is being given emotional support, Thames Valley Police said. |
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, said he had received messages from members of the public whom PC Harper had helped. | Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, said he had received messages from members of the public whom PC Harper had helped. |
A domestic violence victim told him the officer had given her the confidence to come forward about her abusive partner. | A domestic violence victim told him the officer had given her the confidence to come forward about her abusive partner. |
"He was clearly a man who, in his short time, touched many lives," Mr Barber added. | "He was clearly a man who, in his short time, touched many lives," Mr Barber added. |
PC Harper's colleagues have been laying floral tributes at the scene, with one message describing the officer as "Thames Valley's finest". | PC Harper's colleagues have been laying floral tributes at the scene, with one message describing the officer as "Thames Valley's finest". |
Relatives of PC Harper have also paid tribute on social media to the "loveliest person that you will ever meet". | Relatives of PC Harper have also paid tribute on social media to the "loveliest person that you will ever meet". |
His grandmother Maureen Shrimpton wrote: "Just a really horrible day. Our grandson Andrew was killed last night while doing his police work. | His grandmother Maureen Shrimpton wrote: "Just a really horrible day. Our grandson Andrew was killed last night while doing his police work. |
"So proud of him. Our love goes to his lovely wife, mum and dad, brother and all of his family and friends." | "So proud of him. Our love goes to his lovely wife, mum and dad, brother and all of his family and friends." |