Revealed: Police raided council-run travellers' campsite after Pc Andrew Harper was dragged to his death

The call came through on Pc Andrew Harper’s police radio just before midnight. Suspected burglars had been spotted breaking into a nearby farm. Minutes later, Pc Harper was dead; his body dragged down a country lane and left abandoned in a ditch.

Thames Valley detectives are still piecing together the events that led to their 28-year-old colleague’s death. It is understood that Pc Harper was with a colleague in a marked vehicle when the report came through around 11.30pm on Thursday. The two officers went to the scene, and met a suspicious car travelling down Admoor Lane, near the village of Bradfield.

Pc Harper was an experienced policeman who had performed hundreds of traffic stops. He got out of his car, approached the vehicle and challenged those inside.  But something went wrong. The suspect car shot off, dragging Pc Harper behind. One source said the policeman may have been attempting to grab the driver’s keys. In a desperate effort to escape, the driver refused to stop even as Pc Harper was dragged for hundreds of yards along the tarmac. Behind, his colleague pursued in their vehicle.

It was only when the suspect car reached the crossroads and swerved across the A4 that the officer was finally released. He was then hit by another car, it is understood. The suspects fled.

Within an hour, officers descended on Four Houses Corner, a council-run travellers’ site around three miles away. “Everyone was ordered out of the caravans, including the women and children,” one source said.

Ten males aged from 13 to 30 were arrested and led away to different police stations across the country.

One source claimed the fire service was then called to douse a burning car, possibly torched to destroy evidence.

By that time, Pc Harper had already been declared dead after a team of paramedics failed to revive him.

As morning broke, a long trail of blood could be seen on the country lane and on to the A4 road. Forensics officers marked out the trail, while others examined a grey BMW at the scene.

The campsite was deserted, while forensic officers were seen examining a blue car.  About a dozen caravans could be seen on the small plot of land, while a yellow child’s play-car sat just outside the main entrance gates. Clothes pegged to a washing line had been left out, soaked by the rain.

Locals said that the site had been the source of frequent clashes in recent years. Many of its residents have lived there for nearly 50 years, sources said.

The Daily Telegraph spoke to a friend of one of the traveller families who once lived at the site. “We’re still trying to work out what’s going on, but I don’t understand why so many people had to be arrested,” the woman said. “They can’t all be guilty. It’s like the police just think we’re travellers, so, of course, we did it.”

Two years ago, a number of residents of Four Houses Corner complained that they were asked to live in houses while the council carried out taxpayer-funded refurbishment work to their caravans.

“The council wants to regenerate it all and put in new bathrooms. They want to make it all nice,” one resident complained at the time. “I have never lived in a house my whole life. They are taking us out of our community.” Other sources said rural crime had worsened, with many blaming the travelling community.

“There are frequent issues of theft – sometimes the police have pursued people back to Four Houses Corner,” one senior source said.

“There are issues related to hare coursing and other wildlife crime that stem from this and other traveller sites in the area.

“Serious problems for farmers, low-level thefts of machinery, vandalism and hare coursing.”

Graham Bridgman, a Conservative councillor for the area, said it was important that the investigation was allowed to take its course.

“We must all remember Pc Harper for his bravery and his sacrifice,” he said. “It’s important to wait for the facts. We can’t be blaming anyone yet. This tragedy cannot be allowed to cause a rift in our community.”

Chief Constable John Campbell, of Thames Valley Police, said that Pc Harper was a “highly regarded and popular” member of the force.

He said: “It’s a terrible day for Thames Valley Police, but doesn’t touch on the anguish that Andrew’s friends and family are feeling.”