Hampshire's chief constable has hit out at people travelling to Southampton intent on violence - and said the officers involved in responding to Henry Nowak's murder and his arrest are "distraught".
Alexis Boon told the Daily Echo he “very much blames” those who came to Portswood to cause disorder, after officers “bravely faced down violence, threats and missiles” during last night’s unrest.
He confirmed the officers involved in the case are "not subject to a misconduct or criminal investigation" and are not suspended, but are also not on frontline duties.
They are being treated as witnesses by the police watchdog. One officer has resigned, but he said this was not in relation to the murder case.
He condemned the misidentification of the officers, threats and attempts to "track and hunt" them down, calling it "totally unacceptable and over the top".
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Asked at police headquarters in Eastleigh about the police body-worn footage of Henry's arrest after being fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, Mr Boon said: "It is very distressing footage. I think everyone involved is distraught by what's happened.
"It is a tragedy, what's happened to Henry, and of course, that is now subject to an investigation.
"What I would ask is people to await for the result of that investigation, not to prejudge things and not to use it as an excuse to bring about violence on our streets or target my officers who are working incredibly hard, day in, day out, to deliver for local communities."
Speaking directly to those intent on causing Southampton's community harm, Mr Boon said: "My message is very clear for those that travel to Southampton to cause violence and disorder.
"We will police it robustly, as we did last night.
"My offers bravely face down violence, threats and missiles.
"We will police it, and those that come to cause violence will be held accountable through the law and I'd like to really reassure communities, we're there for them."
Asked if police handling of the case was responsible in part for the scenes last night, he added: "I very much blame those that came down with violence in mind, that wanted to cause disruption and fear for the community, to direct threats at officers.
"I think they are responsible, not Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Of course, we understand the sentiment in relation to the case and we have repeatedly said that we are very sorry for handcuffing and arresting Henry. I just want to make that really clear. We get it."
Officers are facing a "barrage" of abuse in the wake of the details of the murder emerging during the trial.
Mr Boon said: "These officers, and officers more broadly across our constabulary, have faced a barrage of threats and abuse, which is entirely unacceptable.
"We are working hard to identify the people behind this abuse and we've been supporting (the officers) through what is a very difficult time for all officers in the constabulary.
"Indiscriminate threats against our officers, misidentification of our officers, trying to track and hunt officers down - it's completely and totally unacceptable and over the top.
"Good, hard-working officers are being targeted and it has to stop."
Mr Boon also said the force is monitoring levels of hate crime amid concerns of a backlash in the Sikh community. Killer Vickrum Digwa was Sikh.
