SOUTHAMPTON — British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned violent, racially charged demonstrations in Southampton as “completely unacceptable” following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa to life imprisonment for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. The protests erupted Tuesday, with hundreds of demonstrators pelting police with chairs, cans, rocks, and flares, resulting in injuries to eleven officers and a police dog and the arrest of two individuals.
Henry Nowak was stabbed five times by Digwa in December. A court found that Digwa, a 23-year-old British Sikh, then falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault. Police initially treated Nowak as a suspect, handcuffing him before noticing his injuries and attempting resuscitation. Bodycam footage later showed officers dismissing Nowak’s repeated statements that he had been stabbed and could not breathe.
Hampshire Police have since apologized, stating one officer involved in the initial response resigned and three others are being treated as witnesses in an ongoing investigation. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is reviewing the actions of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, while the National Police Chiefs’ Council announced it will review its antiracism guidance.
Mark Nowak, Henry’s father, criticized the “inhumane and degrading” treatment of his son by police. He added, “We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension. We want his story to help make our streets safer for everyone.” Mahmood said, “I thank the police who have tonight shown great bravery and calm in the face of disgraceful violence directed at them,” and urged the public to heed the Nowak family’s “powerful call.” She reiterated that the violent protests were “completely unacceptable” and emphasized the importance of peaceful discourse.
Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday. The judge said Digwa had a small kirpan but also had an 8-inch (21cm) sheathed Sikh dagger that was used as the weapon to kill Henry Nowak.