A police officer who was murdered while responding to a reported burglary was dragged along the road by a vehicle before he died.

PC Andrew Harper, from the Roads Policing Proactive Unit based at Abingdon police station, was killed as he responded to a "serious incident" near the A4 Bath Road at the village of Sulhamstead at about 11.30pm.

His cause of death has not yet been confirmed, but police say they are working "hard and diligently to find out what happened".

Image: Andrew Harper was on duty and responding to reports of a burglary when he was killed

Ten people have been arrested on suspicion of murder, including a 13-year-old boy.

They were all arrested within an hour of the incident happening, and are currently being held in custody in different police stations around the region.


The rest are all men, and the oldest is 30 years old.

Chief constable John Campbell said PC Harper was at the scene with a colleague and was out of his vehicle when the incident occurred.

A post-mortem was taking place on Friday afternoon to establish his cause of death.

Although the A4 has been reopened, officers remain at the scene, which is cordoned off while evidence is gathered.

Image: Two blue and white tents at the scene

Two white tents have been erected and forensics investigators have been gathering items and taking photographs.

Officers were seen searching the inside of a grey BMW that was at the scene, according to witnesses.

Police have laid flowers at the scene.

PC Harper was married last month in a ceremony at Ardington House in Oxfordshire.

He was due to go on his honeymoon next week.

Image: The 28-year-old was due to go on his honeymoon after getting married last month

Andy Fiddler, from Thames Valley Police Federation, said the news was "totally devastating".

He said: "All our thoughts - and the thoughts of the entire police family across the UK - are with the family, friends and close colleagues of PC Andrew Harper, who died last night.

"Police officers go to work each and every day to do their duty. We are courageous, caring and compassionate. We confront danger on a daily basis.

"We know there is a risk when we put on the uniform but we do so as we are proud to protect the public.

"Sadly on very rare and horrendous occasions a colleague makes the ultimate sacrifice. We will ensure that heroism is never forgotten."

So sad to read this. PC Harper was the officer in the case when my then husband was arrested for domestic violence in 2016. He was on @ThamesVP Response then. He was brilliant & gave me the courage to take steps to change my life. I can’t thank him enough. He was a top officer 💙 https://t.co/SLbhlWF6fP — Sally Benatar (@MPSSallyBenatar) August 16, 2019

One officer, who said she knew PC Harper, recalled knowing a "brilliant" and "top officer" who was part of a case involving the arrest of her ex-husband for domestic violence.

She said: "He was brilliant and gave me the courage to take steps to change my life. I can't thank him enough. He was a top officer."

Boris Johnson reacts to news of PC Andrew Harper's death while on duty and promises to increase police numbers.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "deeply shocked and appalled by the death of a brave officer on duty".

He added: "My thoughts are with PC Harper's family, friends and colleagues at this terrible time.

"It is the most powerful reminder that police officers up and down the country put themselves at risk every single day to keep us safe. They have my absolute support."

Image: Police at a caravan site near Burghfield Common after the death of PC Harper

Thursday's incident is the latest in a string of recent violent episodes involving police officers.

It comes after PC Stuart Outten, 28, was attacked with a machete in London last week by a motor offences suspect, and just days after PC Gareth Phillips, 42, suffered "potentially life-changing" injuries after he was run over by a suspected car thief in Birmingham.

Image: Police say the "serious incident" happened late Thursday evening

Earlier this month, Mr Johnson pledged to make the country's policing a top priority, and promised to make way for 10,000 extra prison places and 20,000 more police officers.

In response to Thursday's attack, Home Secretary Priti Patel said she would do "everything in my power" to support police officers and "crack down on cowardly criminals who commit appalling acts of violence".

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

"Our dedicated police officers go to work every day to serve their communities. They are courageous and professional people who confront danger on a daily basis. The risks they take to keep us all safe are enormous."

Jeremy Corbyn says the incident has highlighted the need for more police officers on the streets

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he was "totally shocked", adding that the incident demonstrated the need for increased focus on police numbers.

"Let's just think for a moment of the horror of it, but also for the need for more police officers to be able to respond to disorder in our society, but also the problem of guns and the problem of violence that is growing," he said.

Shadow policing and crime minister Louise Haigh also tweeted about the "horrific news", adding: "[Although] it won't bring him back, I hope the culprit is swiftly brought to justice."

Image: Condolence messages have flooded in from police departments around the country

Anthony Stansfeld, the police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley, said he was sending "deepest condolences" to the family and friends of PC Harper.

He added: "This is a tragic loss for the force and I know that Thames Valley Police are doing all they can to support those who have been affected."

Other policing departments around the country have also shared their support for Thames Valley Police following the news of the death.

Image: A van was blocking the site entrance during door to door enquiries

Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit said it was "every cop's worst nightmare" to wake up to, while Lancashire Police said it "stands shoulder to shoulder" with its colleagues.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Any person with information relevant to the ongoing case can call 101 or leave details on the Thames Valley Police website.

Image: Police officers at the scene on Ufton Lane

ANALYSIS: For police on the front-line, better ways to stay safe must be a political priority

By Mark White, home affairs correspondent

For the police, there is no doubt the front-line is becoming increasingly dangerous. A sharp rise in assaults on officers has renewed calls for those who protect the public to be better protected themselves.

Both the prime minister and home secretary have been making positive noises, but neither have been specific about what they would do to boost officer security.

The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers in England and Wales, has repeatedly called for all those officers who want to carry Taser stun guns to be allowed to do so.

But so far, that decision has been left in the hands of individual chief constables, who mostly deploy tasers to front-line response officers, those who answer emergency calls.

That means the vast majority of police don't carry a Taser while out on patrol, in an age where threats are unpredictable and quick to emerge.

Image: PC Stuart Outten was attacked on a call in Leyton

Just over a week ago, PC Stuart Outten was attacked by a suspect with a machete after he pulled over a van in a routine traffic stop in east London.

He suffered serious injuries to his head and hands, but will make a full recovery.

It was the presence of a Taser which undoubtedly saved him from more serious harm.

Just days later, PC Gareth Philips was run over by his own patrol car, after another, supposedly routine traffic stop in Birmingham. Little is routine in front-line policing days.

Like the latest tragedy in Berkshire, it's unclear whether a Taser would have made any difference to the outcome.

But all of these incidents have chief officers searching for better ways to protect their officers.

They'll be hoping that the promises of top politicians to assist in those efforts are genuine and not simply cheap political soundbites.