A recent poll by More in Common shows that 34% of Britons now believe police treat ethnic minorities more favorably than white people, a jump from roughly 17% two years earlier. the data, collected from 2,087 respondents, came in the wake of the murder of 18‑year‑old Henry Nowak and the ensuing protests in Southampton.

Policing Perception Hits 34% in the Wake of Henry Nowak

The survey, released this week, found that one in three Britons now think law enforcement favors ethnic minorities. According to the poll, 21% of respondents feel white people receive preferential treatment, while 68% view the Southampton demonstrators as not representing their views. the findings arrive as Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called the footage “disgusting” and urged a police watchdog investigation.

Political Divide: Reform UK Voters Split on Protest Support

More in Common’s data shows that 57% of Reform UK voters backed the Southampton protests,a stark contrast to the 68% of the overall population who felt the demonstrators did not represent them. The poll also revealed that half of all respondents think Reform UK leader Nigel Farage exploited the Nowak murder for political gain, while 36% judged his response as poor .

Public Opinion on Violence and Police Accountability

Only 10% of respondents consider throwing bricks at police justified, and 90% see such violence as unwarranted. Meanwhile, 30% approved of Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s response to the case, the highest approval among the surveyed leaders. Starmer’s handling of the situation remains mixed, with a split in public opinion.

Beyond the Nowak Case: Sikh Kirpan Exemption and Public Sentiment

The poll touched on the legal exemption allowing Sikhs to carry the kirpan in public. A striking 91% of respondents want the exemption removed or tightened, following the case of Vickrum Digwa, a 23‑year‑old Sikh sentenced to life for Nowak’s murder. The data underscore a complex landscape where concerns about racial bias coexist with strong rejection of violent protest and skepticism toward political motives.

Unanswered Questions: Who Drives the Narrative?

While the poll highlights a growing belief in preferential treatment for minorities, it does not clarify who is shaping this narrative. The source reports that the Henry Nowak video and subsequent protests have fueled the debate, but the specific channels—social media, news outlets, or activist groups—remains unclear. Additionally, the poll does not explain why a majority of Reform UK supporters appear to endorse a protest that most Britons reject.