A new More in Common survey reveals that 34% of 2,087 Britons think police give ethnic minorities more favourable treatment than white people, a view that has doubled over the past two years. the findings come as the nation wrestles with the violent death of 18‑year‑old Henry Nowak, whose murder by Sikh knifeman Vickrum Digwa sparked protests and political backlash.

34% Say Police Treat Minorities Better – A Growing Suspicion

According to the More in Common charity, 34% of respondents believe that police officers give ethnic minorities more favourable treatment than they do white people. The same survey shows that 21% think the opposite – that white people receive preferential treatment – while the rest are uncertain or see no imbalance. the source notes that this perception has doubled in the past two years, signalling a widening distrust of law‑enforcement institutions.

Nowak’s Murder Video Fuels Nationwide Protest and Polarisation

The poll was conducted against the backdrop of the release of video footage showing the final moments of Henry Nowak, an 18‑year‑old student who was violently attacked by Sikh knifeman Vickrum Digwa in December last year. in the clip, Nowak repeatedly tells officers he "can’t breathe" after being stabbed, only to receive a dismissive reply: "I don’t think you have, mate." The graphic nature of the footage ignited protests across the country, most notably in Southampton where demonstrators clashed with riot police, leading to images of brick‑throwing and confrontations that dominated headlines.

Public Opinion on Protesters and Political Rhetoric Remains Divided

Despite the visual impact of the Southampton demonstrations, the poll found that 68% of Britons do not feel that the protesters represent their views. support for the protests was lower among the general public than among Reform UK voters, of whom 57% expressed approval . Nine in ten respondents judged any violent actions directed at police, such as hurling bricks, as unjustified. About half of those surveyed believed Reform Party leader Nigel Farage was exploiting the tragedy for political gain, and 36% judged his response – which urged the public to feel "pure, cold rage" – as poor. in contrast, Conservative party figures fared better; 30% approved of Kemi Badenoch’s remarks that there should be "no two‑tier policing" and that common‑sense should guide equality under the law, while only 14% viewed her response negatively.

The Kirpan Debate: 91% Want Restrictions on Sikh Ceremonial Knives

The survey also uncovered a strong public sentiment: 91% of respondents wanted the legal exemption that permits Sikhs to carry the kirpan, a ceremonial knife, in public either removed or significantly tightened.. Digwa,described by courts as "knife‑obsessed," was sentenced last week to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of Nowak, who had been returning from a university night out when he was attacked. The case continues to fuel debate over how the justice system deals with culturally specific weapons, the role of police in managing community tensions, and the political exploitation of high‑profile crimes.