POLICE chiefs will reportedly review current guidance which encourages officers to treat races differently following the brutal murder of Henry Nowak
Cops have been slammed for “two-tier” policing after officers arrested the 18-year-old as he lay dying, following accusations of racism from his Sikh killer.
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Henry Nowak was stabbed by Vickrum Digwa with a Sikh ceremonial knife Credit: Solent
Henry Nowak being handcuffed by police before his death, following a false claim of racial abuse Credit: AFP
The Times reports that this review comes after the student was stabbed five times by Vickrum Digwa, 23, with a Sikh ceremonial knife on his way back from a night out in Southampton.
MPs have now blamed the officer’s actions on last year’s guidance from the National Police Chief’s Council.
NPCC Chair, Gavin Stephens, said: “We are listening to legitimate concerns about how some of these commitments are worded or phrased, and where needed we can and will make changes, but this should not detract from the intent, which is to improve the quality of policing.”
A source close to Shabana Mahmood told The Times: “The NPCC is rightly reviewing the wording to ensure there is no ambiguity, so everyone is equal in the eyes of the law.”
KATIE LAM
Henry Nowak cops were more concerned about racism claims than keeping us safe
‘INHUMANE’
Dad says teen killed in cuffs after Sikh brute knifed him ‘died without dignity’
Henry Nowak was a university student studying in Southampton Credit: PA
Vickrum Digwa speaking with police just before they arrest Henry Nowak Credit: Solent
Demonstrators push against a police line near Portswood Police Station Credit: AFP
Police officers stand guard as members of the crowd begins throwing flares Credit: Reuters
This follows widespread backlash to the policing at the scene of the Henry’s murder after footage of his arrest circulated online.
One of the officers who arrested Henry has now resigned after a video was released showing cops ignoring his pleas for help.
Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, said his son’s killer used the “racism card”.
He said the way his son was treated was “degrading” and “inhumane” and he added: “Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved.
“He lost consciousness before anyone believed him.”
Sir Keir Starmer said the bodycam video made him feel “sick” as “a father of a 17-year-old boy”.
He added that “serious questions” remain and the IOPC is right to investigate the tragedy.
The PM has rejected any accusations of two-tier policing despite claims from Nigel Farage that the incident revealed that the “rights and privileges of white people matter less than those of ethnic minorities”.
People hold images of victim Henry Nowak, and blood-covered handcuffs Credit: AFP
A woman outside Southampton Central Police Station on June 2 Credit: Getty
The Reform Leader earlier called for people to respond to Henry’s death with “pure cold rage”.
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Southampton yesterday evening to protest how the police handled Henry’s death.
The march began at Southampton police station where crowds gathered and chanted “I can’t breathe” – Henry’s last words before he died.
Meanwhile officers from Hampshire Police lined the stairs of the station while protesters shouted “shame on you”.
As the protests continued into last night, a breakaway group began chucking glass bottles, bins, stones, cans, and various other objects at riot police in the St Denys area where Henry was killed.
Some of the thugs rolled a rubbish skip on wheels down a hill towards cops, while multiple bins were reportedly set on fire and sent barrelling towards officers.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the scenes in Portswood were “completely unacceptable”.
She said: “The Nowak family made a powerful call to us all yesterday to not let Henry’s death be used to create further division, hatred or tension.”
Hundreds marched through Southampton chanting Henry’s name Credit: Getty
A demonstrator holds a placard outside Southampton Central Police Station Credit: Reuters
The Home Secretary added: “There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder.”
Mahmood also said that those found responsible should “expect to face the full force of the law”.
The NPCC said the anti-racism commitment document is not a formal policy but was instead drawn up following the killing of George Floyd in 2020.
It said officers should “respond to individuals and communities according to their specific needs, circumstances and experiences, with understanding that these will be racialised and with the aim of reducing harm.
“It does not mean treating everyone ‘the same’ or being ‘colour blind’ (racial equality)”.
A spokesperson for the prime minister said: “There is no such thing as two-tier policing.
“We expect high standards from police officers, high standards of conduct, and they must treat everyone equally.”
The Home Secretary added that “whether one community had been prioritised over another” in the case of Henry was up to the police watchdog.
She continued: “The police in this country have a sacred duty to police without fear or favour. Everyone in this country is equal before the law; it is the promise upon which our whole justice system rests.
“The equality of every citizen is the foundation on which the openness, tolerance and generosity of this country rests.”
