What began as a knife attack in a quiet neighbourhood has spiralled into a full-blown crisis for Hampshire Constabulary, with hundreds pelting riot officers with missiles overnight after footage emerged of police attempting to handcuff a dying teenager.
Demonstrators marched through central Southampton towards the scene of the incident. Officers attempting to block their route were pelted with stones and bottles. The crowd waved flags of England and the United Kingdom.
In early December 2025, Vikram Digwa, a member of the local Sikh community, stabbed Henry Nowak six times. Digwa then called the police, claiming he had been the victim of a racially motivated attack. Officers at the scene attempted to detain Novak. Paramedics later arrived and pronounced him dead.
In court, Digwa’s account was not substantiated. On June 1, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. The following day, footage from police body-worn cameras was released. The footage shows officers attempting to handcuff Henry Nowak while ignoring his repeated statements that he was wounded and struggling to breathe.
The police have since apologised for their actions. One of the officers involved in the detention has resigned. The convicted man’s family has also issued an apology.
