UK Minister Condemns Riots, Urges Review of Police Anti-Racism Guidance After Nowak Death

Policing minister Sarah Jones has condemned recent rioting while calling for a review of the police's anti-racism guidance. The unrest followed the death of Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying, with an officer reportedly ignoring Nowak's claims of being stabbed and his assailant's racist assault.

Jones stated that the rioting was unacceptable, with two arrests made for assault and weapon possession. She appealed for calm, urging the public to let justice take its course and avoid overreacting, a sentiment echoed by Nowak's family. The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, also issued a statement.

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For [Philp] to take umbrage at the idea that there is a commitment to reduce disparities in arrest rates and use of force is disingenuous. And I would also highlight that when the Conservative government were in power and Chris Philp was the policing minister, not once did he meet with the Race Action Plan, not once did he bring any legitimate concerns that he may have had around that and involve himself in any constructive conversations about it.

However, Abimbola Johnson, chair of the independent scrutiny and oversight board for the police Race Action Plan, described the policing minister's criticism as "disingenuous." Johnson asserted that Chris Philp, the current shadow home secretary, never raised concerns about the plan during his time as policing minister from 2022 to 2024. Johnson highlighted that Philp never engaged in constructive conversations about the plan or its goals, such as reducing disparities in arrest rates and use of force.

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We are urging that people take the anger that they feel, which I understand, but let’s allow justice to do its course, and let’s not over-react, which indeed is what the family are asking us to do as well.