UK Police Officers Under Investigation Over Henry Nowak Death
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said evidence suggests the officers who first arrived at the scene may have failed to recognise that Nowak required urgent medical assistance.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said evidence suggests the officers who first arrived at the scene may have failed to recognise that Nowak required urgent medical assistance.
Two police officers are facing gross misconduct investigations following the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed and arrested while suffering a fatal stab wound, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The IOPC said evidence suggests the officers who first arrived at the scene may have failed to recognise that Nowak required urgent medical assistance. Therefore the investigation will examine the decision to arrest and handcuff him rather than provide immediate first aid, as well as the actions of control room staff handling emergency calls.
The watchdog also said one officer may have breached professional standards relating to authority, respect, and courtesy after allegedly dismissing Nowak’s claim that he had been stabbed. This is a euphemistic way of describing what happened: the officer in question when told by Nowak he had been stabbed replied “I don’t think you have, mate.”
The investigation follows formal complaints from Nowak’s family, who questioned differences between how Henry was treated by officers and how Digwa was treated after his arrest.
Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, previously criticised what he described as his son’s “inhumane and degrading” treatment, contrasting it with the “decency” shown to his son’s killer.
Hampshire Police has already issued an apology to the family over the officers’ actions.
Nowak was killed in December 2025 after being stabbed with a large blade by Vickrum Digwa, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in June with a minimum term of 21 years. Public anger grew after police bodycam footage showing the officers’ interaction with Nowak was released.
As we reported, Digwa has been referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme, meaning he may ultimately receive a longer prison sentence.
Protests took place in Southampton on June 2, with clashes between demonstrators and police. Twelve officers and a police dog were injured during the unrest. Southampton’s Sikh community representatives condemned Digwa’s actions and called for peace and social stability.
