Geoff Bell has hit out at the UK Government and police in an emotional social media video after the murder of Southampton student Henry Nowak sparked protests and a fierce national debate.
The actor, best known for his role in the hit crime drama Mobland, said he was “ashamed” of Britain’s leaders.
Speaking in a video shared to Instagram, Mr Bell told followers he had been listening to coverage of the case throughout the day before deciding to speak out.
The case has attracted widespread attention in recent days after police apologised for the treatment of the 18-year-old finance student, who was handcuffed shortly before he died following the attack by Vickrum Digwa, who used a Sikh ceremonial blade to stab him five times.
Geoff Bell hit out at the police and the government
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“No one believes the government. The country is angry,” he said.
“Something needs to be done. People are not safe in the streets. People are not safe on buses, people are not safe on tubes, on trains, in a f****** Uber.
“I mean, come on. Something’s seriously wrong with this country, with our governments.”
Mr Bell went on to express his sadness at the reaction to the case online, drawing comparisons with public responses to other high-profile incidents in recent years.
The Mobland star said people don’t feel safe in the streets or on public transport
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“It breaks my heart to see what I saw today, what’s going about on social media,” he said.
“It’s funny, when it happened in America that time, when we all knew, when we were in the pandemic, everyone took a knee. Governments, everyone. Footballers took a knee.
“Let’s see what they do for this kid, shall we? It’s not fair if people don’t feel safe.”
The actor became increasingly emotional as he spoke.
“Young kids. Old people. Mums and dads. Kids coming home from school. Walking through a park. It f****** breaks my heart.
“It’s this land. This land of hope and glory. I’m ashamed of our f****** governments. Old Bill. Should be ashamed.”
Mr Bell’s comments came after Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of Mr Nowak.
The actor’s video attracted thousands of views and prompted a flood of reactions online.
One supporter wrote: “Thank you for using your voice, absolute gentleman.”
Another commented: “We are not safe, we do not get what our taxes are paid for.”
A third added: “Thank you Geoff, we need more people like you speaking out.”
The Southampton Crown Court heard that university student Mr Nowak was stabbed with a 21cm Sikh ceremonial blade known as a kirpan while walking home from a night out in December last year.
Over a thousand protesters gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station to demand that action be taken after the murder of Henry Nowak
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Digwa was also convicted of carrying a knife in public, while his mother, Kirun Kaur, was found guilty of assisting an offender after removing the weapon from the scene.
More than 1,000 protesters gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station this week, demanding accountability, with some demonstrators calling for officers involved in the incident to be sacked.
Hampshire police have confirmed that one of the officers directly involved in the case has resigned and three of the officers involved are currently still serving.