Urgent concerns regarding the Police Race Action Plan and the Henry Nowak Tragedy

To: Chief Constable Stephens, National Police Chiefs’ Council

4 June 2026

We write as a coalition of national civil society organisations, community leaders and non-partisan representatives who have invested significant time, expertise and lived experience in supporting efforts to improve trust, confidence and accountability in policing.

We begin by expressing our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Henry Nowak. His death is a tragedy. The questions raised regarding the police response are serious and deserve thorough, independent and transparent examination. We support the ongoing investigations and believe that any operational, supervisory or organisational failures identified should be addressed openly and without hesitation.

At the same time, we are increasingly concerned by attempts in parts of the media and political sphere to establish a causal connection between the Henry Nowak case and the Police Race Action Plan.

No evidence has been presented to support such a conclusion.

The Police Race Action Plan was developed in response to longstanding and well-evidenced concerns regarding racial disproportionality, damaged trust and confidence, and the continuing impact of institutional racism within policing. Its development involved substantial engagement between police leaders, community representatives and civil society organisations across England and Wales.

The tragic circumstances of the Henry Nowak case do not alter the evidence base that gave rise to the Plan, nor do they diminish the continuing need to address racial inequalities within policing.

We therefore wish to place on record our collective concern that legitimate scrutiny of this case could be used to justify the dilution, suspension, reframing or abandonment of commitments that were developed through years of engagement between policing and affected communities.

We believe the proper focus must remain on establishing the facts of this case, identifying lessons arising from it, and ensuring that any recommendations are evidence-based, proportionate and consistent with the principles of fairness, accountability and policing by consent.

No review of the Police Race Action Plan should take place until the IOPC has fully investigated and established the facts, particularly because failures in police practice and racist policing are distinct challenges that require different forms of analysis, accountability and remedy.

Should the NPCC contemplate any review, amendment or revision of the Police Race Action Plan arising directly or indirectly from this case, we would expect full consultation with the organisations and communities that contributed to its development and whose trust remains essential to its success.

We would welcome confirmation regarding the NPCC's current position and whether any consideration is being given to reviewing, amending or reframing the Police Race Action Plan in response to this case or the public debate that has followed.

We also seek clarification from the NPCC regarding what additional policing measures will be put in place to protect Sikh Gurdwaras and communities in response to the reaction following this tragedy.

We remain committed to constructive engagement and stand ready to contribute to any evidence-based learning process that may emerge from the investigation.

Yours faithfully,