Furious locals blast £4.2m taxpayer-funded revamp of traveller site where PC Andrew Harper’s killers hid from cops

FURIOUS locals say a £4.2million taxpayer-funded traveller site linked to the sick killers of hero PC Andrew Harper leaves a “stain” on their community. Residents slammed the lavish and controversial upgrade this week, questioning why it was allowed to go ahead despite a raft of objections – including from cops. The Four Houses Corner site in Ufton Nervet, Berkshire, cost the tax payer £4.2million Credit: n.c Andrew, 28, had just wed wife Lissie, when he was fatally dragged along the road Credit: PA The controversial site is now operational after the old one was bulldozed and redeveloped under the swanky multi-million pound council scheme following the officer’s tragic death in 2019. Council bosses went ahead despite 50 formal objections – including from Thames Valley Police and PC Harper’s mother – arguing there was no other location for the site. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! When The Sun visited this week, villagers remain up in arms – describing the site and its controversial renovation as a “stain” on their area. It comes amid fears that two of PC Harper’s killers could soon be released from prison under the Government’s controversial early release scheme. Henry Long will not be released from prison – he was the driver of the car Credit: PA Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were passengers – and it is feared they could be released Credit: PA Though new PM Andy Burnham confirmed Henry Long will not be released early, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole could be freed this year – something Andrew’s widow Lissie Harper branded “deplorable”. The three teenage quad bike thieves were jailed after brave PC Harper, 28, was dragged for more than a mile behind a car while responding to the theft. After the killing, Long, Bowers and Cole hid out for more than a month at the Four Houses Corner traveller site in Ufton Nervet, Berkshire, where they destroyed evidence before they were eventually nicked. The rundown site was bulldozed in February 2024 ahead of West Berkshire Council approving the controversial £4.2million redevelopment. Most read in The Sun It has since been transformed into a modern site with 17 double-berth caravan pitches, parking spaces, electric vehicle charging points and a children’s play area. But villagers say the expensive revamp has done little to ease concerns, with some fearing Bowers and Cole could one day return if they are released. Retired Carol Harris, 81, who has lived nearby for more than three decades, blasted: “It is a law to itself down there. “We get mess up the lane, they fly tip on the lane when their bins overflow, which they always are. Just go down there and see for yourselves. Andrew’s killers hid in the old traveller site and destroyed evidence there in 2019 Credit: n.c The Four Houses Corner Caravan Site was demolished in February 2024 Credit: n.c The site pictured in March 2025 Credit: w8media The Four House Corner Traveller Site in July 2026 Credit: n.c “The tax payers splashed out on that camp for them and they just show no respect to it, I just despair really.” Carol said the prospect of Bowers and Cole being released left her horrified. She added: “To think that those evil boys could be released early from prison makes me feel sick. “I am very worried about it and I feel so sorry for the poor police officer’s wife and family, his death has left a scar here. “I know that they didn’t live there initially and just used it as a hideout, but who’s to say they won’t try to come back Another resident, who has lived on the road for more than 40 years, said he had watched the traveller site change dramatically over the decades. He said: “I have seen families come and go for four decades now, previously I felt families managed their own communities better. They have passed on, and then it became a bit of a free-for-all down there. “And now we just don’t really know what is going on, they keep themselves to themselves.” Overflowing bins on the Four Houses Corner traveller site – July 2026 Credit: n.c A bin which appears to have been burnt out on the Four Houses Corner traveller site – July 2026 Credit: n.c He also criticised the taxpayer-funded redevelopment. He claimed: “The site itself is a waste of money, it is not right. “They have pulled fences out, extended the site, and made it their own.” However, he insisted it was important not to unfairly tar everyone living at the site with the same brush. He added: “From a resident’s point of view though, they largely keep themselves to themselves. “I think they probably are worried about how they are viewed by the local community. “I think it would be a good step forward for the local community if we had more of an open relationship. “As long as they behave themselves and are polite, then I have no issues. One of the ‘pitches’ on the new traveller site appears to be used as a dog enclosure Credit: n.c Aerial view of the scene in Berkshire where PC Harper was killed Credit: PA:Press Association “I think as well it is fair to say that they are scapegoated, a shed gets broken into or something gets broken and everyone always immediately just assumes who was accountable. And that probably is unfair.” A woman who moved to the road around 10 years ago said she remembered the aftermath of PC Harper’s death. She said: “They [the travellers] have always been there. So when we moved here we knew the travellers were close. “It was a really rough time when the police officer was killed. I remember the police coming to ask for CCTV which we didn’t have. “The thing that was disappointing for us was that the police put in a letter to the council to explain they felt it was a bad idea to redo the traveller site there but they went ahead regardless, that was the bit we found confusing. “Surely if the police have concerns that should be the biggest concern.” She also questioned whether the redevelopment represented value for taxpayers. She added: “The council seemed willing to spend £4m of tax payers money, surely there are more pressing things that the money could have been spent on, filling pot holes for starters.” Despite her apprehensions, she said relations with the travelling community had largely been peaceful. She said: “Anyway the new site is there now, the travelling community have always been here and we know that and there is nothing we can do about it. “We had one incident where a young lad fired a stone at my car window and smashed it, besides that there has been no bother from them.” Widowed Lissie Harper campaigned for a new law protecting emergency service workers Credit: The Sun Two killers of PC Andrew Harper, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, made sneering comments about his grieving widow as they were escorted to court, a guard claims Credit: The Sun Pensioner Colette, who has lived in the village for 46 years, said she believed the millions spent on the redevelopment should have gone elsewhere. She said: “I think the mood of the whole village and country is the same. It is disgraceful that the killer could be released early. “Instead of giving us £45 a year on fuel, we don’t need that money, why don’t they build more prisons. That site cost millions.” She added: “The main issues on the doorstep relate to rubbish though, it gets dumped on the lane all the time.” Another local said his biggest concern remained the cost of the development. He said: “My main gripe though is that the plans went ahead to build it in the first place, it cost a fortune, and is that really money well spent? “This is a really scenic and pretty area, with beautiful countryside, yet the traveller site is a stain really.” Their fears come as fresh concerns have been raised over the possible release of Bowers and Cole later this year. The pair, who were both 17 when PC Harper was killed, are eligible for release halfway through their 13-year sentences under the Ministry of Justice’s controversial early release scheme. Long, who drove the Seat Toledo that dragged the 28-year-old officer for more than a mile, is not eligible and will only be able to seek parole after serving half of his 16-year sentence. A former prison officer who dealt with Cole and Bowers said the pair showed “no remorse” after the killing and even mocked PC Harper’s widow, Lissie Harper. He claimed: “I saw their behaviour first-hand. They thought the whole thing was a joke and had no respect for PC Harper or his widow.” PC Harper with grieving partner Lissie Credit: PA A car dragged Andrew to his death when his ankles were caught in a towrope Credit: PA The former officer also alleged the pair laughed and joked throughout proceedings and openly discussed blaming Long for the death, adding they were “the last” prisoners who should be considered for early release. However, West Berkshire Council defended the redevelopment. A spokesperson said: “Four Houses Corner Caravan Site has been a formal traveller’s site for many years. This site has been redeveloped and operational since September and provides important homes for the Gypsy and Traveller community. “We need to deliver traveller accommodation and ensure we meet legal requirements. Suitable alternative sites do not exist in West Berkshire. “Since the site re-opened, no specific concerns regarding site management have been raised directly with the council. “The council have also not received any complaints or reports regarding animal welfare or illegal dog breeding. “The site is managed by our Traveller Liaison Officer and council officers are on site every week. “The redevelopment scheme which received planning permission is what has been implemented, including the boundary fences to the site. “There have been no additional pitches created, and no additional residents have moved into the site. We are aware of a previous issue relating to a fence panel, which has since been resolved. “Since the site re-opened, we have been working closely with tenants, local residents, the local community and partner organisations to support the successful and smooth running of the site. “We’re confident the arrangements we have in place are appropriate and will keep these under review to ensure they remain so.” The Sun approached the travellers for comment, but they simply asked our reporter to leave.