Violent clashes in England over Henry Nowak murder
Screen grab taken from PA Video of police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. Picture: Jamie Lashmar/PA Wire
The British home secretary has condemned protesters who pelted police with missiles in clashes close to where a young student, Henry Nowak, was stabbed to death in Southampton.
The violence came amid an outcry about the policing response to the murder after Mr Nowak’s killer claimed he had been the victim of a racial attack, while Mr Nowak was handcuffed by police as he lay dying.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) announced it would review anti-racism guidance – called the Race Action Plan, which advises police to treat ethnic minorities differently to get them better outcomes – that some have blamed for the actions of the officers who arrested Mr Nowak.
NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens said: “We are listening to legitimate concerns about how some of these commitments are worded or phrased, and where needed we can and will make changes, but this should not detract from the intent, which is to improve the quality of policing.”
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Two people were arrested for assaulting police and possession of a weapon after hundreds gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station on Tuesday, where far-right activist Tommy Robinson and actor and campaigner Laurence Fox were among those who spoke to an angry crowd.
Violent scenes broke out after a large group walked across town to the area of Portswood.
Demonstrators chanted “Henry, Henry” as the line of police was pelted with bricks.
Chairs, cans and flares were thrown at police in riot gear, eventually forcing officers and three police vans back from the line they had been holding.
Shabana Mahmood said the scenes in Portswood were “completely unacceptable” and accused the demonstrators of “hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder” in defiance of a plea by the Nowak family not to use the murder to feed division and hatred.
Mr Nowak’s killer, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, told police attending the scene of the stabbing in Southampton on December 3 2025, that he had been the victim of a racist attack.
In body-worn camera footage from the incident, a handcuffed Mr Nowak can be heard repeatedly saying: “I’ve been stabbed”, to which an officer replies: “Don’t think you have, mate.”
Ms Mahmood added in a statement on social media: “The Nowak family made a powerful call to us all yesterday to not let Henry’s death be used to create further division, hatred or tension.
“There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder. Those responsible can expect to face the full force of the law.
“I thank the police who have tonight shown great bravery and calm in the face of disgraceful violence directed at them.”
Digwa was given a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years in prison for stabbing Mr Nowak with a ceremonial knife with a 21cm blade, prosecutors said was a kirpan, which he carried as part of his Sikh religion.
He had previously been investigated by police in 2023 on suspicion of stealing ceremonial blades from a Sikh temple in Southampton, but no further action was taken.
Earlier on Tuesday, Hampshire Police said an officer not connected to the case had faced death threats after being misidentified in online posts.
In a post on X, the force said: “We recognise the desire for answers about the police response that night” and warned people not to indulge in “harmful online speculation”.
On Tuesday night, British prime minister Keir Starmer said he “felt sick” watching “harrowing” footage of police handcuffing Mr Nowak and said there are “serious questions” to answer about the case.
There needs to be an examination into how “accusations of racism” informed the police’s decision-making in the case, he added.
The police watchdog is expected to report on the case within the next three months.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said investigators are examining a large amount of body-worn video as well as material presented during Digwa’s trial.
Hampshire Police confirmed that one of the officers involved in the case has resigned, while the other three are still serving. All of them are being treated as witnesses.
Mr Nowak’s father, Mark Nowak, speaking after Digwa was sentenced on Monday, said: “We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.”
But Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said people should respond with “pure cold rage” to Mr Nowak’s treatment, which he said was evidence of a “two-tier culture”.
Mr Nowak was “actually treated in a way that meant an accusation of a racial slur was treated more seriously than an act of murder”, Mr Farage said.
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