Did police anti-racism policies lead to appalling treatment of Henry Nowak and if not, what did?

Analysis of evidence and interviews with experts suggests focus by rightwing critics on race misses reality of police failures

As the row over the police handling of the stabbing of Henry Nowak by Vickrum Digwa continues, critics on the right have suggested that a preoccupation with anti-racism played a significant role in the failure by officers at the scene to properly assess what had happened – and resulted in the appalling treatment of Nowak as he lay dying.

Criticisms have focused in particular on a document published by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) last year, the police anti-racism commitment. Critics have also claimed that there is a broader sense that the police’s instincts are now to side against white people whenever there is any doubt.