The riots last night were wholly unacceptable: a total disgrace.

The riots last night were wholly unacceptable: a total disgrace.

When Henry Nowak’s father made his statement on behalf of the Nowak family outside court, he was clear that they did not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension. I’m appalled that people have chosen to ignore the family’s wishes.

Hampshire’s police have serious questions to answer.  The video of Henry’s last moments is painful to watch and an unacceptable failure from the force and from the officers involved.  The IOPC review needs to be conducted quickly and thoroughly and their findings implemented - and wider questions answered about how officers respond to violent incidents where knives are involved, as well as the training they receive to handle them..  

And the work also can’t stop there. As the family requested, it is not just the events of that awful evening that need to be reviewed, but the wider question of preventing and reducing knife crime - both in Hampshire and across the UK.