Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student at the University of Southampton, was fatally stabbed in December 2025 by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa in Southampton [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Digwa used a 21cm knife identified as a Sikh ceremonial kirpan [1, 3, 4, 5]. Despite Nowak’s fatal injuries, police handcuffed him as he lay dying, captured on bodycam footage repeatedly saying "I can't breathe" [1, 6, 3, 4, 5]. The police later removed the handcuffs and administered CPR after realizing the severity of his injuries [1, 6, 3, 5]. Court pathologists determined Nowak would have died at the scene regardless of emergency response [6, 7, 8].

Digwa falsely claimed Nowak had racially abused and assaulted him, which influenced police actions during the incident [1, 6, 3, 4, 5]. Digwa was sentenced on June 1, 2026, to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for Nowak’s murder [1, 6, 7, 8, 3, 4, 5].

Hampshire Police apologized for their handling of Nowak and referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct [1, 6, 5]. The incident has triggered significant public outcry. Protests erupted across Southampton on June 2, 2026, following the sentencing and police response, with some demonstrators engaging in violence [1, 2, 9, 10, 3, 4]. Eleven police officers were injured and two arrests were made during these clashes [7, 8, 4].

Far-right activists, including Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson, have cited the case as evidence of police favoritism toward ethnic minorities. Farage said, "The fear of being called racist was greater than dealing with Henry Nowak’s murder. We should respond to this with pure cold rage" [1]. Alan Mendoza of the Henry Jackson Society claimed the case shows "how far the rot of political correctness has set into the British policing mentality" [5].

UK government leaders rejected claims of ethnic bias in policing. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, "There is no justification for more violence and disorder. This is a time for serious work, not rage" [7]. Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood added, "There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder" [6]. Mark Nowak, Henry’s father, described police treatment as "inhumane and degrading" but urged against using the death to "create further division, hatred or tension" [1, 6, 2, 7, 8, 9].

Residents voiced distress over the violence. Southampton local Sophie Martin said, "It was absolutely terrifying. Our two young boys were asleep. There is glass absolutely everywhere. We are going to be massively out of pocket" [2]. Labour MP Satvir Kaur stated, "They don’t deserve to have their homes, cars and streets vandalised. It’s really horrible how scared people were last night" [9].

The government is reviewing policing guidance that advises officers not to be "colour blind" to better address concerns raised by the case [6, 8]. The police investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct remains ongoing as the city awaits further updates.