One in three Britons fear 'two-tier policing' after Henry Nowak murder, damning poll reveals

One in three Britons fear "two-tier policing" in the wake of Henry Nowak's murder, a damning poll has revealed.

A survey of 2,087 people, conducted by More In Common, found that 34 per cent of respondents believed ethnic minorities received preferential treatment from police - a proportion which had doubled in the past two years.

Just 21 per cent felt white people were treated more favourably.

The survey follows a public outcry over the treatment of 18-year-old Henry Nowak by the police, who was handcuffed as he lay dying.

His killer, Vickrum Digwa, had lied to police that he was the victim of a racist attack.

The fatal stabbing resulted in mass protests, with several already jailed for their participation.

More than two-thirds of Britons, 68 per cent, said demonstrators did not speak for them.

And nine in 10 respondents said violence toward police, such as throwing bricks at officers, was unjustified.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for an end to "two-tier policing", adding that "we need to bring common sense back" to the treatment of equality by the law.

Some 30 per cent of respondents said they her approved of remarks, but 14 per cent felt she had responded poorly.

Sir Keir Starmer met the Nowak family and said he was "profoundly humbled", adding the Government would do everything to "prevent other families from suffering such a devastating loss".

Respondents were split over the Prime Minister's response to the devastating murder.

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• Two men charged in relation to disorder in Southampton after murder of Henry Nowak

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the public should feel "pure, cold rage" in response to the stabbing, but 36 per cent of respondents felt he had responded badly.

His party has now rolled out an online "Two-Tier Britain Reporting Form", which calls on former or serving members of the emergency services to submit evidence in order to expose "just how rotten our institutions have become".

Luke Tryl, the UK director of More in Common, said the notion of “two-tier policing” had moved beyond online discussion.

He added: "While still a minority, a third of Britons now believe the police treat people from ethnic minority backgrounds more favourably.

"Yet, while most Britons are horrified by the Nowak case and want it to be taken seriously, they are also concerned about division and disorder.

"Two-thirds say the Southampton demonstrators do not speak for them, and while most support peaceful protest, they have little tolerance for disorder or disruption."

Mr Tryl said Mrs Badenoch appeared to have "struck the right note", with her remarks received more favourably than those by Mr Farage and Sir Keir Starmer.

Digwa, a Sikh, had been carrying a ceremonial knife called a kirpan as he committed the murder.

A vast majority of respondents (91 per cent) have now called for the legal exemption which allows Sikhs to carry the weapon in public to be removed or tightened.