Overview
- A More in Common survey of 2,087 people published June 10 found 34% of Britons believe ethnic minorities receive more favourable treatment from police, a share that has doubled in two years.
- Video of Henry Nowak’s dying moments prompted independent probes into police conduct and a National Police Chiefs’ Council review after officers handcuffed him as he pleaded he could not breathe.
- Vickrum Digwa was convicted of Nowak’s murder and sentenced to life with a minimum term of 21 years, and he told police he had been the victim of a racist attack — a claim the trial found to be false.
- Large protests in Southampton followed the footage release, producing violent clashes with riot officers, multiple arrests and some jail sentences while 68% of poll respondents said the demonstrators did not speak for them.
- The poll found strong public support for tightening or removing the legal exemption that allows Sikhs to carry a ceremonial kirpan and shows broad rejection of violence toward police, a development likely to push urgent legal and policing changes.