Claims of so-called two-tier policing in Wiltshire have been denied.
Two Westbury councillors were among a group of Reform UK members at Wiltshire Council who wrote to police leaders expressing “dismay at the very unequal – or ‘two-tier’ – policing has been allowed to take root in our country”.
The councillors sought “a clear assurance about the principles by which Wiltshire Police will be governed.”
The letter was written by Keith Allen (Tidworth North and West), Kevin Asplin (Amesbury East and Bulford), Boaz Barry (Westbury North), Chris Brassington (Southwick), Dave Linstead (Tidworth East and Ludgershall South), Ed Rimmer (Salisbury Bemerton Heath), Mike Sankey (Chippenham Monkton), Robert Smith (Westbury West), Augusta Urquhart-Nicholls (Calne Chilvester and Abberd), Chris Vaughan (Trowbridge Park) in the wake of the conviction of the killer of Henry Nowak.
Eighteen-year-old student Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed in Southampton by Vickrum Digwa, who falsely claimed he’d been the victim of racist abuse and acted in self-defence.
Police handcuffed Nowak as he lay dying, sparking national outrage, protests and polarised debate over race, “two‑tier policing”, knife-carrying for religious reasons and failures in the police response.
The Reform UK councillors said they were “shocked and deeply saddened” by the death of Henry Nowak.
And they said the aftermath had “crystallised a legitimate and urgent public anxiety that some are now policed very differently from others.”
In the letter, the councillors criticised Wiltshire Police’s Police Race Action Plan for its “narrative of Anti-Racism.”
“The label ‘Anti-Racist’ can sometimes lead, in practice, to a form of two-tier policing that seems to favour particular identities over others,” wrote the councillors.
“Everyone deserves to be treated alike, irrespective of race or background, under the law, and police forces should uphold Public Sector Equality Duty.
“We would respectfully ask you to ensure that Wiltshire Police’s approach does not inadvertently support any form of perception that certain groups receive preferential treatment.”
The Police Race Action Plan is a national document launched in May 2022 to make positive changes in policing to improve the experiences of Black people who work with or are affected by the police.
Responding to the letter, deputy chief constable Mark Cooper said: “We recognise the concern relating to this tragic incident.
“The actions of the officers involved are subject to an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of the case.
“Our neighbourhood teams are working closely with our communities to respond to their concerns and provide appropriate support and reassurance.
“It is essential that we police without fear or favour in keeping the peace and enforcing the law. We must do so to earn the confidence of all communities.”
And Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson responded: “I am deeply saddened and shocked by the death of Henry Nowak, and my thoughts remain with his family and all those affected.
“In Wiltshire, my expectation is clear: policing must be fair, proportionate and based on evidence in every case, without fear or favour.
“Decisions must be grounded in the law and professional judgement, not bias or assumption.
“I recognise the concerns that have been raised nationally about ‘two-tier policing’ but my position is clear – everyone must be treated equally under the law.
“There are robust independent scrutiny arrangements in place in Wiltshire, including public-led panels reviewing the use of police powers, alongside external inspection and ongoing engagement with our communities.
“I will continue to hold the Chief Constable to account to ensure policing is delivered professionally, fairly and consistently and that public confidence in policing in Wiltshire remains strong.”
Pictured: Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson
