Farage rage comments are unforgivable, claims Starmer

The head of the police force that handcuffed dying Henry Nowak said he is “genuinely sorry” but denied it was two-tier policing.

- BY MICHAEL KNOWLES

Alexis Boon admitted that footage of Henry, 18, being arrested after he was stabbed by Sikh stranger Vickrum Digwa was a “very difficult watch”.

The Hampshire chief constable said: “What was filmed there is a tragedy. I really feel for the family of Henry.” He told the BBC he understands “their point of view and why they're upset with the police”, which he adds is why the force has said “we are sorry for handcuffing and arresting Henry”.

Mr Boon added: “What was filmed there is a tragedy, an absolute tragedy, you can’t help but be affected by it.”

But he insisted student Henry was not treated differently due to his race. Asked if he thinks policing is anti-white, Mr Boon replied: “No, I don’t.” He also denied it is anti-black, saying: “I do not think policing is racist. There are racist individuals within policing. Of course there are, and there have always been. And we will tackle that and deal with it.”

He said officers who handcuffed Henry after he was falsely accused of racism are no longer on frontline duty; one had resigned in an unrelated move. Mr Boon, left, said: “I am clear we are sorry for handcuffing and arresting Henry, but I don’t know if that is cutting through for people.