The spot where a newlywed Thames Valley
police officer died after he was dragged along by a vehicle on Thursday has been turned into a shrine, as grieving colleagues laid floral tributes over the weekend.
Pc Andrew Harper, 28, was killed during a “serious incident”near the A4 Bath Road, between Reading and Newbury, at the village of Sulhamstead in Berkshire.
In the latest stage of the investigation, a caravan site was searched where, according to local media, a man was arrested in connection with modern slavery offences during a raid last August.
Here’s everything we know so far...The VictimAndrew Harper, 28, married his wife Lissie in Oxfordshire in July, just four weeks before his death.
The white wedding was held at Ardington house, a listed stately home built in 1720 and described as a “Georgian masterpiece” on its website.
A marquee was constructed on a lawn at the award-winning wedding venue to host Pc Harper’s marriage.Relatives described the day as a “dream wedding”.
Pc Harper’s grandmother Maureen Shrimpton posted on
Facebook, saying: “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.”
Pc Harper joined Thames Valley Police as a special constable in 2010 before becoming a police officer a year later, serving in the Roads Policing Proactive Unit based at Abingdon Police Station.
A post-mortem examination is taking place to establish the cause of death.The IncidentThe incident took place at the crossroads of Ufton Lane and Lambdens Hill, near to the village of Sulhamstead – near Bucklebury where Carole and Michael Middleton, the mother and father of the Duchess of Cambridge, live.
An emergency call was made reporting a burglary at a residential property at 11.18pm on Thursday, said Thames Valley Police spokesman Jack Abell.
Chief Constable John Campbell said Pc Harper was at the scene with a fellow officer and was out of his police car when the incident occurred, adding: “What we do know is Andrew had been dragged along by a vehicle.”
Asked by the PA news agency about reports that Pc Harper was hit by a second police vehicle, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, said he was not aware of that detail.
One witness, who did not want to be named, told the Daily Mail that Pc Harper’s colleague was crouched over his body which was lying on the lane.
They added: “The officer’s crewmate was shouting, saying ‘stay with me, stay with me. Keep breathing’.”
An officer on duty with Pc Harper was not physically injured but is being provided with emotional support.The Investigation Thames Valley Police said ten boys and men aged between 13 and 30 have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are in custody at various police stations in the force area.
On Saturday, forensics officers were seen searching a caravan site on Padworth Road around three miles away from the scene, with two vans appearing to block the entrance.
A man at the scene, who dropped snacks off for officers, claimed there had been “umpteen problems” with two caravan sites in the area, referring to the one on Padworth Road and one at Paices Hill.
According to a local media report, a man was arrested in connection with modern slavery offences during a raid in Paices Hill last August.
Thames Valley Police also seized suspected stolen property, including three caravans and horse saddles and bridles, according to the GetReading site.
Several residents living nearby in cottages and farmhouses said they had not had any problems with thieves targeting their property.
But one woman, who did not give her name, said she had heard reports of men walking around “checking out quads and things” in the rural village of Bradfield, around two miles away, on Thursday.The TributesOn Saturday morning officers stationed at the scene laid flowers near two tents which had been erected on Ufton Lane, with one describing him as “Thames Valley’s finest”.
Another tribute read: “A shockingly sad day. We come together as a brotherhood at times like this and hopefully your family can take some comfort from that love and support.”16/08/19Statement from Thames Valley Police Chief Constable John Campbell following the tragic death of PC Andrew Harper. pic.twitter.com/EjU2Dkjhx0— Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) August 16, 2019Boris Johnson has said he was “deeply shocked and appalled” by the death.
Labour leader
Jeremy Corbyn also sent his sympathies to Pc Harper’s family and reflected on the “horror” of the roads officer being killed in the line of duty.Related... Andrew Harper Death: Ten In Custody Over Police Officer's Killing Police Officer 'Murdered' While Attending Burglary In Berkshire