Henry Nowak’s parents call for ‘common sense’ to be brought back to policing after their son was arrested moments before dying

She wrote on X: "Henry’s family do not want anger to tear communities apart. They are a family who have friends across faith and race, and so did Henry. His family want his memory to help bring our society together."

"Everyone knows I have strong views about how we should deal with equality under the law.

"What the family agreed with me on is that we need to bring common sense back, and that is what we should all be fighting for."

Mrs Badenoch also detailed how the family asked her to work "across political parties and religions" in order to rebuild faith in the police, despite "trust" being broken "because of what happened".

She also called for greater examination of exemptions which allow the carrying of dangerous weapons in public, referring to the fact Vickrum Digwa, 23, Mr Nowak's killer, used a Sikh ceremonial knife to fatally stab the 18-year-old five times.

The Tory leader wrote: "We must also be prepared to examine, carefully and seriously, religious practices or exemptions that permit the carrying of dangerous weapons in public, and other activities that are not conducive to the public good. We also need to examine where the law needs to change."

Under Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, the law allows exemptions to a carry a knife for work, as part of national costume or for religious reasons.

She concluded she "promised" the Nowaks their son will have a "positive legacy... out of this tragedy".

"I promised the family that we will work to ensure there is a positive legacy for Henry out of this tragedy," she said.

"That is my focus now."

Mrs Badenoch is the first political leader to meet with Mr Nowak's family, with Sir Keir Starmer announcing he will be meeting them later this afternoon.

No10 said the Prime Minister will hold a private meeting with the family in Downing Street.

Other politicians have expressed their thoughts on the case, such as Nigel Farage, who said Mr Nowak's murder was an example of "two-tier policing".

Reform UK's leader gave a speech on Tuesday calling for a "change in culture".

He said: "Enough of anti-white prejudice. A promotion of the idea that white lives matter just as much as black lives. This is serious. This is urgent."

However, the MP for Clacton has come under scrutiny from other politicians for stirring up greater division among the public.

Unrest broke out on the streets of Southampton on Tuesday night after crowds gathered outside Hampshire Constabulary - two people were arrested.

Labour MP Luke Charters issued a plea yesterday to Mr Farage, begging him to “show restraint” in the aftermath of the murder and police treatment of Henry Nowak.

During PMQs yesterday, Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey said the slain 18-year-old's family does "not want his death to create further division".

He said: "Less than 48 hours ago, the family of Henry Nowak stood on the steps of Southampton Crown Court and gave a courageous and dignified statement in which they said: 'We want to use Henry's heartbreaking story to make change for the better. We do not want his death to create further division, hatred, or tension. We want his story to help make our streets safer for everyone.'

"Does the Prime Minister agree with me that the violence we saw whipped up on the streets of Southampton last night, the criminal damage to innocent people's homes, and the injuries to 11 police officers are the total opposite of what Henry's own family clearly and powerfully called for?"

Sir Keir Starmer replied: "I thank him for his question, and for the discussion we had this morning about the impact in Southampton, and for the work he has done along with his fellow MP.

"The attacks directed towards police officers last night were disgraceful and completely unacceptable. There is no justification for further disorder."