POLICE searches are being carried out today in connection with the death of a police officer who was 'murdered' on Thursday night.

Abingdon-based officer PC Andrew Harper was killed while trying to stop a burglary with a colleague.

Ten people, as young as age 13, have been arrested after it happened about 11.30pm near to the A4 Bath Road, between Reading and Newbury.

The A4, Bath Road, at the junctions of Ufton Lane and Lambdens Hill, near to Sulhamstead, are now closed in order for searches to take place.

Thames Valley Police tweeted earlier at 11.45am that the closure was likely to last an hour, but the force has now tweeted that the closure is still in place.

PC Andrew Harper, from the Roads Policing Proactive Unit based at Abingdon Police Station, was killed on duty close to the cross roads of Ufton Lane and Lambdens Hill when it happened about 11.30pm. 

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He was in an unmarked police car with a colleague, although outside the car when it happened.