Murdered PC Andrew Harper, 28, got married just four weeks ago

Murdered PC Andrew Harper got married to his wife Lissie just last month (Picture: Mark Lord Photography)

A police officer who was murdered in Berkshire during a call-out burglary got married to his wife Lissie just last month.

Thames Valley Police officer Andrew Harper, 28, was killed on the A4 Bath Road between Reading and Newbury last night.

The force believes PC Harper was ‘dragged along by a vehicle’ after answering a routine call in Sulhamstead at 11.30pm along with colleagues.

Chief Constable John Campbell told a press conference on Friday afternoon it was a ‘terrible day’ for the force, which has been left ‘shocked and saddened’ by the  ‘significant loss’. He added: ‘To add further angst Andrew was only married four weeks ago’.

The official confirmed that 10 people have been arrested on suspicion of murder, all are male and aged between 13 and 30.

They remain in police custody. Chief Constable Campbell described PC Harper as a ‘highly regarded, popular member of the team’.

PC Andrew Harper celebrated his big day in July (Picture: Mark Lord Photography)

Police remain on the crossroads of Ufton Lane and Lambdens Hill, near to Sulhamstead (Picture: SWNS)

John Campbell Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police told a press conference today that the it was a ‘terrible day’ for the force (Picture: SWNS)

PC Harper was ‘well known across’ the UK due to his work (Picture: Mark Lord Photography)

He added: ‘The officer was well known across the force so it is felt very personally and it is felt very personally by the whole police family across the UK.’ 

This morning police confirmed that he was part of a road unit and was responding to an incident at the crossroads of Ufton Lane and Lambdens Hill near Sulhampstead. 

Chief Constable Campbell said: ‘Tragically Andrew was attending a reported burglary along with a crew mate and was killed at the scene whilst performing his duties.’

The force believes PC Harper was dragged along by a vehicle and that ‘he was out of his police vehicle at the time’.

However, the cause of death will be established in due course, adding that they are ‘working hard and diligently to establish what happened’.

A post-mortem examination is currently taking place.

A post-mortem examination is currently taking place (Picture: SWNS)

Officials believe he was dragged by a vehicle (Picture: SWNS)

PC Harper was described as a ‘highly regarded’ officer

MPs have expressed their shock and sadness for the ‘brave’ copper who was killed in the line of duty

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also sent his sympathies to PC Harper’s family and reflected on the ‘horror’ of the officer being killed in the line of duty.

The incident came just weeks after a police officer was attacked with a machete in Leyton, east London, and another was run over in Birmingham in an alleged attempted murder.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was ‘devastated and appalled’ by the death of the officer, who she said had served his community with ‘great pride’.

She added: ‘PC Harper died in the line of duty protecting the public and his incredible bravery and extraordinary sacrifice will not be forgotten.’

Chief Constable Campbell added that the force is receiving special support as ‘so many colleagues were present at the scene which was clearly distressing’.

Enquiries are still ongoing (Picture: Getty)

Officers lay down flowers for their colleague on Friday afternoon (Picture: SWNS)

‘This tragic incident will have a devastating impact on us all,’ he added.

PC Harper joined the force as a special constable in 2010 and became a regular officer in 2011.

Officers remain at the scene today as enquiries continue and the force urged the public and media not to speculate. Anyone with information is urged to call 101.

Source: Metro.co.uk