Witnesses say a group of young boys and girls attacked Mr. Jozwik and his friend, kicking him in the head. He died two days later from his injuries. The stunned community recently held a memorial event at the scene of the attack on Arkadiusz Jozwik to show solidarity with Poles living in The Stow.
#Harlow stands united. Vigil for Polish migrant Arkadiusz Jozwik, died after being beaten up last Sat. Rip brother pic.twitter.com/X5dbpTw71j
— Tomáš Tengely-Evans (@TomashhEvans) August 31, 2016
Essex Police believe it was an unprovoked attack, hitting out at media reports in Britain suggesting that it was a "hate crime," which is just one line of their enquiry.
Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore of Essex Police said: "It's concerning that the widespread media are reporting this as a hate crime, when in fact that is no more than one line of inquiry in a number of inquiries, which we are delving into to try and establish the truth, to establish that sequence of events that led to Mr. Jozwik's tragic death."
The police have increased their patrols in the area following the attack and implemented a dispersal order to reduce anti-social behavior.
Meanwhile, shopkeepers and customers in The Stow told London reporters they had complained to the police hundreds of times about gangs of up to 20 teenagers smashing windows, starting fires and intimidating people in the area where Mr. Jozwik was murdered.
Superintendent Andy Mariner at Essex Police has confirmed that a dispersal order will be extended until Monday, 5 September which means anyone refusing to leave the area can be arrested, fined and jailed for three months.
As part of our work in #Harlow following the murder of Arkadiusz Jozwik a dispersal order will be extended. https://t.co/K93j8IDG02
— Essex Police (@EssexPoliceUK) September 1, 2016
Detectives are treating the murder of Arkadiusz Jozwik as a hate crime, "but at this stage there are several other strands we need to look at and we cannot eliminate those other lines of enquiry from the investigation. We are continuing to keep an open mind about the motive," says Superintendent Andy Mariner.
Five 15-year-old boys and a 16-year-old have been arrested on suspicion of murder but released on bail.
Amb Arkady Rzegocki and @halfon4harlowMP pay respects to #Polish national murdered in Harlow https://t.co/fBpUrcl6pu pic.twitter.com/J8obZmjdax
— Polish Embassy UK (@PolishEmbassyUK) August 31, 2016
'Two Faces of Britain'
Hate crimes increased by almost 50 percent in England, Wales and Northern Ireland the week after the June 23 referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.
Arkady Rzegocki, Poland's ambassador to Britain, told reporters that the decision to leave the EU had contributed to an increase in xenophobic and racist abuse. Rzegocki said Mr. Jozwik's death was "a big tragedy."
"The truth is, unfortunately, is that before the Brexit referendum there was less xenophobia and racism. Now we are seeing an increase in such incidents."
However, Mr. Rzegocki was keen to stipulate that many Harlow residents and British people had offered their support following the killing.
"There are two faces of Britain," says Mr. Rzegocki.
#Harlow this Saturday — Join procession to honour Arkadiusz Jozwik, The Stow, 4pm. People & flags of all nations are welcome @Heart4Harlow
— Chelmsford Diocese (@chelmsdio) September 1, 2016
Poland's ambassador to Britain will also attend the "march of silence" that is being organized by the Polish community in Harlow on Saturday 3 September.
