Well-wishers have donated more than £70,000 in less than 24 hours to support the family and widow of PC Andrew Harper.

The 28-year-old newlywed officer died of multiple injuries after being dragged along by a vehicle while investigating a burglary reported in the village of Bradfield Southend, Berkshire, at around 11.30pm on Thursday night.

Ten males aged between 13 and 30 were arrested at a nearby caravan park within an hour, Thames Valley Police said.

Officers have been given an extra 36 hours to question the suspects, Detective Superintendent Ailsa Kent told reporters on Saturday.

A fundraising page which was set up by Thames Valley Police Federation to support PC Harper’s widow, Lissie, and his family has raised more than £70,000 so far.

It reads: ‘We confront danger on a daily basis. We know there is a risk when we put on the uniform but we do so as we are proud to protect the public.

‘Sadly on very rare and horrendous occasions, a colleague makes the ultimate sacrifice. We will ensure that heroism is never forgotten.’

The victim’s father, Philip, said the family have been ‘absolutely devastated’ by the death, telling Sky News: ‘We’re in a bad place.’

Pc Harper, who tied the knot with new wife Lissie just four weeks ago in what relatives have described as a ‘dream wedding’, was reportedly due to go on his honeymoon in a few days.

Pictures show the couple celebrating their wedding at the award-winning Ardington House, a Georgian manor set in gardens and parkland in Oxfordshire.

On Sunday, the police investigation around the Four Houses Corner caravan park intensified, as country roads were closed and officers scoured ditches for evidence near the site where the suspects were arrested.

On Saturday, forensic officers turned their attention to a black hatchback car inside the park, which is near Burghfield Common.

Grieving officers have laid floral tributes at the scene where their colleague was killed at the junction of Ufton Lane and Lambdens Hill.

Some could be seen embracing, while one wiped away a tear from her cheek.

One tribute, accompanied by an image of PC Harper smiling with a friend, said: ‘Harps, I am truly gutted. A great cop, a great man, a great friend.

‘There will always be a part of my heart missing now. RIP mate, love you.’

PC Harper joined as a special constable in 2010, before becoming a police officer a year later, serving in the Roads Policing Proactive Unit based at Abingdon.

Thames Valley Chief Constable John Campbell said he was a ‘highly regarded, popular member of the team’.

He added: ‘Everybody I’ve spoken to about Andrew talked about the incredible personality he was, what a fantastic police officer, and what a great friend and man he was, and he’ll be sorely missed by everybody.’

Meanwhile, a fundraising page set up by Pc Harper before his death to help children suffering with cancer has been flooded with donations.

He made the page with a £500 target for the 20 mile, 200 obstacle Dirty Weekend race in Peterborough which is due to take place in May next year.

But a deluge of donations has now taken the total amount raised to more than £16,000 in aid of Children with Cancer UK.

He wrote: ‘Even if only one child benefits then it will be well and truly worth it.’

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the death of PC Harper a ‘mindless and brutal’ crime, saying he was ‘shocked and appalled’ by the attack.

Home Secretary Priti Patel says she has ‘instructed the Home Office to urgently explore what we can do to better support the families of our brave police officers who are seriously injured or worse by cowardly criminals’.

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