Christians in Southampton have swept glass and cleared rubbish in the aftermath of “two-tier policing” protests.
Riots broke out in Portswood on Tuesday evening, in response to the death of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak.
Led by activist Tommy Robinson (birth name Stephen Yaxley Lennon), rioters were protesting allegations of “two tier policing” following the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
Nowak, a university student, was stabbed five times with a Sikh ceremonial blade by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa.
Digwa falsely alleged that Nowak had racially abused him. Believing Digwa’s account, police who arrived at the crime scene in Portswood ignored Nowak’s cries for help. In bodycam footage, a visibly in pain Nowak repeatedly said, “I’ve been stabbed,” to which one officer responded: “I don’t think you have been, mate.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said in a video statement that the public should respond to Nowak’s murder with “pure, cold rage,” – words which were condemned by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
During Tuesday’s riots, bottles, chairs and bins were thrown at police. Eleven officers and one police dog were injured.
“Over the last 24 hours, there has been deep sadness, deep shock, and a sense of being unsettled,” said Rev Sera Rumble, vicar of St Denys Church in Southampton. “But, the situation’s been held by a community who have deep regard for one another, and a sense of togetherness has been there throughout.”
Rev Rumble was one of several Christians who began a clean-up effort in the area, hours after rioters had left.
“There was carnage on our streets, and I was very aware that we had kids who would soon be walking to school,” she told Premier Christian News.
Upon arriving with a litter picker and bin bags, Rev Rumble was heartened to see one student already clearing the street.
“He'd arrived at 7 o'clock in the morning,” she said. “I got there about eight, and then other members of the community and church. We got brooms, we got brushes, and we started sweeping and clearing.”
She described “masses of smashed bottles” and stains from colour grenades “spread everywhere.”
“Within an hour and a half, we’d never seen it so clean,” she added.
“As a community, we have been grieving this murder for four months,” said Rev Rumble said. “But we recognise Henry's family in the heart of it all, in the grief that they're experiencing in their home in Essex. Let's pray for them. Let's pray that something good comes out of this, in terms of the expression of anger that people have had. Let's take what needs to be heard and pray that it's listened to.”