PC Harper: Traveller site upgrade approved despite backlash

“Ask yourselves honestly if Andrew was your son would you approve this?” she asked at tonight’s (Wednesday) Eastern Area Planning Committee.

But the plans were approved.

That same meeting heard an admission from the council that it had lost control of the site which had “spiralled out of control”  in the run up to PC Harper’s death, saying it did not, and does not, have people experienced in managing caravan traveller sites.

There was even a suggestion that CCTV and drones should be used to “monitor” the site at Four Houses Corner.

“The council will have no excuse if this site reverts to being hotbed of criminality,” said Graham Bridgman from Mortimer Parish Council.

“There is a history of criminality at this site and the fear of that continuing in the future.”

This was later challenged by ward councillor Nick Carter (Lib Dem, Burghfield and Mortimer) who said no other ethnic group would be described as “inherently criminal”.

A specialist contractor will be hired to manage the site on behalf of the council with a detailed scope, including what powers they have to unblock a blockade of the site.

The decision will now go before the Department for Communities for a final rubber stamp, and the application will sit for 21 days until a decision on whether or not to call it in by the Secretary of State is made.

PC Harper’s mother stood up to speak at the meeting.

READ MORE: Mother of police officer killed in duty speaks on anniversary of son's death 

“It’s important for me to be here for Andrew and his family and for the police who have to police this site,” said Ms Adlam.

“I would like to ask what other alternatives have been considered. It beggars belief that his whole life can be wiped out as if nothing had happened. I am concerned for the police who have to go back there.”

Deborah Adlam, holding a photograph of her son PC Andrew Harper, at her home in Oxfordshire. Credit: PA

Officials said they fully recognised the tragic events surrounding the death of PC Harper in 2019, saying that the council had the deepest sympathy with all those affected by this tragedy.

But they said there were no other sites for the council to allocate to travellers. 

Council officers said they did not know of other sites being looked at, saying this is “very challenging as planning now requires traveller sites to be integrated into communities”.  Adding not many land owners will consider traveller sites on their land. 

More than 50 objections had been raised on the application, including one from Thames Valley Police, as a result of the tragedy but the council says the purpose was to only consider the planning merits of the application.

PC Andrew Harper died after being dragged along the road by a stolen quad bike.

Two of the thieves were arrested at the Four Houses Corner site in Ufton Nervet.

The officer became entangled in a tow rope attached to the thieves’ Seat Toledo and was dragged at “breakneck” speed for more than a mile along country lanes.

Henry Long, who was driving the car towing the stolen quad bike, was jailed for 16 years, while his accomplices Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, were each given 13 years.  

At a previous meeting Ms Adlam said police were often taunted by this on traveller sites.

The site was shut in 2020 due to its dilapidated state.

The occupants were moved into temporary accommodation, and were described in the meeting as “good tenants”.

The council has allocated more than £4m spread over this year and and next for upgrading the site.