The police watchdog has urged the public to stop speculating about its investigation into Hampshire police's handling of the Henry Nowak murder, warning that online commentary could risk undermining the process.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it is “acutely aware” of the high level of public interest in the case but stressed that the inquiry remains ongoing and sensitive.
Henry Nowak was killed in Southampton in December last year, in a case that has prompted significant public attention and scrutiny of the police response in the lead-up to his death.
Hampshire police referred itself to the IOPC which then launched an independent investigation.
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Derrick Campbell, the IOPC’s engagement director, said the investigation would seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the police response, including whether any officers may have committed misconduct.
However, he warned that continued speculation could have serious consequences.
“We would respectfully ask people to stop speculating on an ongoing live investigation,” he said.
“This investigation is going to fully establish the circumstances of the case, including whether there may be misconduct on the part of any of the officers involved.
“The ongoing commentary about the evidence and speculation risks prejudicing any potential processes and preventing Henry Nowak’s family getting the answers they deserve.”
Speaking to the Echo yesterday, Chief Constable Alexis Boon said that the officers were being treated as witnesses and there was no misconduct investigation.
He said: "It's really important to say those officers have been treated as witnesses and they are not subject to a misconduct or criminal investigation.
"They are not suspended and are still working with the Constabulary, and are not on frontline at this time."
Mr Boon has apologised to Mr Nowak’s family for the student being handcuffed and arrested as he lay dying.
Responding to the apology on the BBC on Thursday, Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey said: “Apologies have to be accompanied by action, and what is going to lead to that action is the independent watchdog’s investigation into precisely what’s happened.”
