THERE were emotional scenes as more than one hundred people including many Basingstoke police officers took part in a run in honour of PC Andrew Harper. 

114 people took to the streets on Wednesday evening to run 7.605 km run, representing PC Harper’s police number.

Up & Running’s Basingstoke store were joined by their usual Social Running Group members, as well as local running clubs, serving police officers, firefighters and runners from around the community.

The number included some of Basingstoke’s police officers, as well as Sergeant Sayers, PC Harper's mum's family liaison officer.

Nick Bates, who works at Up & Running and attended the event, said: “It was a fantastic turnout, we got way more than we expected.

“There were lots of people from different clubs as well as our regular members and some from the police force and the fire service came as well.”

Manager Nicola Stewart added: "We decided as a collective to do this run in honour of PC Harper in as many stores that we could.

"It was quite humbling (having Sgt. Sayers there) and everyone got quite emotional.

"We can't make up for anything but show support for them."

There were fundraising buckets at the event, with the money going to the Just Giving Page set up in PC Harper’s memory.

They raised almost £500 on the night, and are still taking donations.

As of Thursday morning, the page had raised £281,915, over double its target.

Nick continued: “It was a great turnout and a nice evening for running as well.”

PC Andrew Harper was killed when he attended reports of a burglary in Berkshire earlier this month.

There has since been an outpouring of support for his family.

His wife released a statement, calling him the “perfect husband”, saying that “I do not know how I will be able to survive without you”.

A 20-year-old man from Reading has been charged with PC Harper’s murder.

Jed Foster “emphatically denies” all involvement and will stand trial at Reading Crown Court in January 2020.

His solicitor, Robert Jacques, said in a press conference: “We urge the police to follow every single line of inquiry to prove who is responsible and to ensure that there is justice in this case.

“We also urge any members of the public who have information – no matter how difficult it is for them – to come forward and liaise with the police.”

To donate, either go into Up & Running on Winchester Road or visit the Just Giving page.