The police chiefs from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland also called for greater consideration of victims when prisoners have their sentences altered - such as with the government's early release scheme, which was designed to reduce prison overcrowding. In the letter, released on Tuesday evening, police chiefs said the early release of PC Harper's killers, and that of anyone involved in the death of an officer, could cast doubt over the "value placed on their service and sacrifice when they put themselves in harm's way to protect others". Second, they called on the government to put greater consideration into the crimes committed by prisoners when altering their sentences. Lastly, the letter called for victims and bereaved families to be "properly considered whenever significant changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements". Around 5,000 people are expected to be released under the early release scheme, down from 6,000 after exemptions were previously announced for those convicted of the most serious crimes including rape, child sex offences and grooming.