Police are being urged to scrap 'two-tier' rules treating white people differently to ethnic minorities in the wake of Henry Nowak's murder. The calls follow a public outcry at bodycam footage showing officers handcuffing the 18-year-old university student as he lay dying after his Sikh killer falsely claimed to be a victim of racism. Vickrum Digwa, 23, stabbed Mr Nowak six times before lying to officers that Mr Nowak had shouted racist abuse, punched him and knocked off his turban. The youngster repeatedly told officers 'I can't breathe' as he lay dying. The case, which sparked violent protests last night in Southampton, has prompted claims that the teenager's treatment was influenced by police guidance around racial bias. Under a so-called Anti-Racism Commitment published last year, policing leaders say that 'racial equity' should not mean 'treating everyone the same or being colour blind'.Instead they say their goal is to produce 'equality of policing outcomes' by ending the racial disparity in the 'likelihood of people being criminalised'.The commitment is part of a multi-million pound Police Race Action Plan launched in 2022 following the killing of George Floyd in America 'to improve trust and confidence in policing among Black communities' in the UK.The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) has since vowed to review the guidance - amid demands to scrap it entirely.But Parm Sandhu, director of the London Policing College and the first and only only Sikh chief superintendent in the Metropolitan Police, today rejected accusations of a 'two-tier' approach and accused politicians of 'politicising' the tragedy. 'Police officers do not go to work and think they are going to treat black or white people differently,' she told BBC Radio 4. 'They go to work and they deal with emergency situations where they have to make fast life or death decisions. 'In this case they've made a tragic mistake. But they do not base those decisions on the skin colour of the individuals in front of them.' Protesters throw beer bottles at a police van amid violent clashes in Southampton last night Protesters and police were injured during the chaos in Southampton city centre Riot police face off with demonstrators in Southampton Police bodycam footage shows innocent victim Henry Nowak, 18, being forced into handcuffs by officers after he was stabbed repeatedly by a knife-obsessed Sikh man Vickrum Digwa (pictured) is seen lying to police as he tells them Mr Nowak ripped off his turban in a racist attack. He also points to his eye, claiming it has been injured by the teen Mr Nowak (pictured) was a finance student at the University of Southampton and was described as 'kind and talented' The political row follows violence on the streets of Southampton, where protesters clashed with riot police last night. More than 1,000 demonstrators descended on Southampton Central Police Station just before 6pm. Some shouted 'I can't breathe' while others threw wheelie bins, flares and beer cans at officers.Writing in the Daily Mail, Kemi Badenoch said Mr Nowak's murder was a 'seminal moment' in the fight against racism. The Tory leader compared the stabbing of the 18-year-old university student to the murder of Stephen Lawrence 33 years ago.Mrs Badenoch said that, just like Stephen's shocking killing in 1993, Mr Nowak's death at the hands of an assailant who lied about claims of racism needs to be a turning point.Mr Farage said the police response showed that an 'accusation of a racial slur was treated more seriously than an act of murder'.The Reform UK leader said: 'Remember the reaction to [George Floyd] and the way the police behaved?'Within a few days Keir Starmer was taking the knee, Black Lives Matter, it exploded all over the country, Churchill's statue was defaced, the Cenotaph was vandalised.'And yet what has the public reaction been from our leaders and politicians and indeed to be frank much of the media to this? Silence, absolute silence.'Proof, if ever there was any, that we're living in a two-tier culture in this country where the rights and privileges of white people matter less than those of ethnic minorities.'Promising to review the Race Action plan, NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens said: 'We are listening to legitimate concerns about how some of these commitments are worded or phrased, and where needed we can and will make changes, but this should not detract from the intent, which is to improve the quality of policing.'But Mr Sandhu defended the policy as necessary in a diverse society. She said: 'The guidance on racism is more about teaching people to understand different cultures. It doesn't say you treat people differently.'It says take into account different cultures because if you're dealing with somebody who is deaf, blind, because it doesn't cater to skin colour. If you are dealing with someone who is deaf or blind.'She added: 'I do not accept that there is two-tier policing in this country. I do not accept that police officers go to work thinking I am going to watch a young person bleed out.'And speaking about calls for Britain to end the religious exemption for carrying a blade, she said: 'You should not say that all Sikhs shouldn't carry the kirpan because of what this individual has done in this case. And he did not use the kirpan.'Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood branded last night's violence 'completely unacceptable', writing on social media: 'The Nowak family made a powerful call to us all yesterday to not let Henry's death be used to create further division, hatred or tension.'There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder. Those responsible can expect to face the full force of the law.'She added: 'I thank the police who have tonight shown great bravery and calm in the face of disgraceful violence directed at them.'One of the police officers involved in Mr Nowak's arrest resigned, Hampshire Police confirmed yesterday. Three of the officers involved are still serving, the force added, while all four are being treated as witnesses in an investigation by the police watchdog.Earlier, a different officer received death threats and was 'forced to relocate' after being wrongly identified online as being involved in the case, Ms Mahmood said. The officer had to relocate for the safety and security of his family, the Home Secretary told the House of Commons.Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years on Monday for stabbing Mr Nowak six times with a religious blade he was carrying. A day later, demonstrators arrived in Southampton holding pictures and banners, with clips shared online showing crowds carrying Union Jacks descending upon the police station.A large police presence was put in place outside the station, with officers forming a blockade. In a video posted on social media, far-Right activist Tommy Robinson described the footage of Mr Nowak's arrest as 'horrific' while calling on supporters to attend the protest. Robinson, Right-wing commentator Laurence Fox, and UKIP leader Nick Tenconi were among those who stood at the steps of Southampton station as speeches were delivered to the crowd. The Lord's prayer was said twice, while Robinson argued 'white people are treated like second-rate citizens' in his speech. In one chant, hundreds of people shouted 'I can't breathe, I can't breathe' in reference to what Mr Nowak told police as he lay dying on the ground. Addressing the crowd, UKIP leader Tenconi said: 'Hampshire police must sack and arrest the arresting officers.'They must publicly take the knee for Henry Nowak.' Fire at the scene as police officers clash with protesters in Southampton last night More than 1,000 people attended last night's protest A police helicopter hovered overhead as officers were pelted with stones A protester throws a bin at police during violent clashes Police dog handlers stand with a dog behind the police line near Portswood Police Station An image issued by the Crown Prosecution Service shows the eight-inch ceremonial dagger used by Digwa Digwa's father Moga Singh (left) attempted to hide his face as he appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court yesterday alongside his son Gurpreet Digwa (right)Sikh man Kulwinder Singh, a 47-year-old taxi driver from Southampton, welcomed the protest and those who were marching.He said: 'I'm part of the Sikh faith so I welcome them. They are my brothers and sisters. I'm not worried at all, they're welcome at the Gurdwara [Sikh temple].'It's nothing to do with the faith. We should keep people together.' Mr Singh shook hands with protesters as they marched.Jamie Smith, from Southampton, said: 'I am here for Henry.'I saw the video online when he was handcuffed and dragged on the floor after being stabbed and I want the police to be held accountable.' At nearby Portswood Police Station, people were seen throwing glass bottles at police cars. Later in the evening evening, protesters chased riot squad police officers and launched wheelie bins at them.Around a dozen officers were verbally abused and pelted with objects including beer cans. Protesters forced the blockade of officers back 20 metres as they charged at them.One incident saw crowds hurl a flare at police before others stormed at them while shouting: 'Justice for Henry.' Activist Rebekah Warne said: 'I'm here because I fear for the safety of my child.'He's 10 and I worry for his future. He'll be 20 in 10 years and he'll have to defend himself.'The streets scare me now as a woman. I can protect myself but it scares me for my son. Something needs to change.' Sir Keir Starmer said the footage of Mr Nowak's arrest made him 'feel sick' as he warned officers have 'serious questions' to answer over their treatment of the teen - adding it is 'absolutely right' that the police watchdog is investigating how officers handled the case. Earlier yesterday, while giving a statement in the House of Commons, Ms Mahmood warned of a 'dangerous undercurrent' of threats against the police.She continued: 'Threats against police officers are utterly unacceptable. There can be no justification for intimidation, abuse or attempts to take the law into one's own hands. 'A police officer unrelated to this case has been misidentified online and subjected to death threats. He has been forced to relocate to protect himself and his family.'Misinformation and inflammatory commentary is making a dreadful situation even worse. We must all, together, condemn it.'She added that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will report on the case within three months. Hampshire Constabulary said yesterday: 'We know there has been significant commentary following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa yesterday afternoon, and we recognise the desire for answers about the police response that night.'However, what we cannot accept is the significant spread of misinformation online by those intent of causing further fear and division by making threats to officers and sharing names that are simply not true.' Protesters are pictured outside Southampton Police Station at 6pm yesterday Demonstrators later began a march through the centre of Southampton while chanting 'I can't breathe' Footage appeared to show crowds trying to storm the station as officers formed a blockade outsideHampshire Police Federation also called for an end to 'mob or vigilante justice against officers' amid backlash over the case. Footage released on Monday night shows officers pulling Mr Nowak along the ground as he begs for help, telling them he cannot breathe at least seven times before he is put in handcuffs. The student died from drowning in his own blood shortly after his wrongful arrest, Southampton Crown Court heard.Following the case, the UK Sikh Federation stressed the blade was not consistent with the Kirpan, a small, curved blade which many Sikhs wear close to their person. While it is legal for them to carry the weapon for religious reasons, it is deemed an offensive weapon if it is drawn in an act of aggression.Judge William Mousley KC said he was 'sure' Mr Nowak never said anything racist to the murderer.Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Mr Nowak was 'treated in a way that meant an accusation of a racial slur was treated more seriously than an act of murder'.He said the last thing Mr Nowak heard on this Earth was being read his rights by officers as he lay dying on a pavement in handcuffs.Mr Farage called for 'pure cold rage' over the case, which has been widely criticised after he claimed it suggests a 'two tier' approach to policing in the UK.Mr Nowak's father Mark, speaking after Digwa was sentenced on Monday, said: 'We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.' Earlier, a spokesman for Hampshire Police Federation said: 'The murder of Henry Nowak was a tragedy, our thoughts are with his family and friends.'The officers' actions that night are subject to rigorous independent scrutiny and we must let that process run its course.'The Police Federation condemns in the strongest possible terms the calls for mob or vigilante justice against officers we have seen in recent days.'That has included police officers being wrongly identified as being involved in the incident and personal details such as home address being widely published.'We call on politicians of all parties and media commentators to be more responsible in their comments - and allow due process for the officers involved to ensue. Digwa (pictured) lied to police at the scene, telling officers Mr Nowak had not been stabbed and had instead attack him'As a staff association we are supporting all Hampshire Police officers and we urge all our members to take appropriate action online and offline to stay safe.'Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has apologised for arresting Mr Nowak minutes before his death. It comes after Sir Keir told the Cabinet that an investigation into the police response must be carried out 'as quickly as possible'.The Prime Minister's official spokesman said he paid tribute to 'kind, thoughtful and much-loved' Mr Nowak, whose life was 'ripped away in the most appalling circumstances'. IOPC Director Derrick Campbell said: 'Our thoughts and sympathies remain with everyone affected by Henry Nowak's tragic death.'Our independent investigation into the contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight officers had with Mr Nowak immediately prior to his death on 4 December, including the use of handcuffs by officers and the first aid provided, remains ongoing.'Our investigation began following a mandatory referral from the force, which we received the same day.'We acknowledge that this case has raised questions about the actions of the attending officers and we are aware that a few minutes of police body worn footage has been issued by the force following the conclusion of criminal proceedings.'As part of our ongoing investigation we are reviewing a large amount of police body worn footage, which we need to consider in context with other evidence we have obtained, including reviewing material presented during the murder trial, as we establish the full circumstances.'Now that criminal proceedings have concluded, we are planning to meet with Mr Nowak's family and provide them with updates about our investigation.'The officers involved are currently being treated as witnesses, however as with all investigations, this is kept under review throughout.'