Southampton Erupts as Fury Over Henry Nowak Case Grows

Thousands of angry protesters descended on Southampton on Tuesday night as public fury over the treatment of murdered student Henry Nowak spilled onto the streets, leading to clashes with riot police and fresh pressure on ministers and police chiefs to answer mounting questions about the case.

More than 1,000 demonstrators gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station to demand accountability following the release of bodycam footage showing the 18-year-old finance student being handcuffed by police as he lay dying after a fatal stabbing. Protesters held a minute’s silence before marching through the city, with many chanting “I can’t breathe”—the words repeatedly spoken by Nowak in his final moments.

The largely peaceful demonstration later descended into disorder when a smaller group clashed with riot police. Officers were pelted with bottles, bricks, flares, and wheelie bins, while fires were lit in the streets. Police confirmed at least one arrest, while ministers condemned the violence and urged the public to respect the wishes of Nowak’s family, who have called for calm.

The unrest came just hours after Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed that one of the officers involved in Nowak’s arrest had resigned. Three other officers remain in service and are currently being treated as witnesses in an ongoing investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The case has triggered a fierce political debate over allegations of “two-tier policing” after officers initially accepted claims by killer Vickrum Digwa that he had been racially abused by Nowak. Judge William Mousley KC later ruled there was no evidence the teenager had made any racist remarks and described Digwa’s account as dishonest.

In response to the growing controversy, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) announced an urgent review of its anti-racism guidance. NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens said the organisation would make changes “where needed” following concerns over the wording.

The review follows calls from Reform UK and the Conservatives to scrap race-based policing initiatives altogether. Nigel Farage described the case as a “watershed moment” and pledged to introduce an Equal Treatment Act if his party entered government.

However, Labour ministers have sought to distance themselves from claims of institutional bias. Policing minister Sarah Jones said parts of the guidance were “wrong” and should be rewritten, while Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood insisted there could be “no justification” for the disorder seen in Southampton. A Downing Street spokesman also rejected claims that two-tier policing exists in Britain.

Further questions have also emerged over Digwa’s history with weapons. It has been reported that he was arrested in 2023 after allegedly stealing knives from a Sikh temple but was never charged.

The IOPC is expected to report on the police response within the next three months, meaning that scrutiny of one of Britain’s most controversial criminal cases is unlikely to fade any time soon.