Henry Nowak Protests: Police Pelted With Chairs, Flares And Cans In Southampton

The conviction of Vickrum Digwa for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak has sparked major protests in Southampton, with hundreds taking to the streets and clashes erupting between demonstrators and police. The unrest comes days after disturbing bodycam footage emerged showing Nowak, who had been fatally stabbed in December 2025, lying on the ground in handcuffs while repeatedly telling officers he had been attacked. For many protesters, the footage transformed what was already a tragic murder case into a wider controversy about policing, accountability and public trust. What Happened To Henry Nowak?

Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student, was walking back to his accommodation in Southampton when he was attacked and stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in December 2025. Earlier this week, Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of murder. The case attracted national attention after evidence revealed that Digwa allegedly misled officers at the scene, falsely claiming that he had been the victim of a racist attack.

As a result, police initially detained Nowak rather than his attacker. Bodycam footage released after the trial showed the teenager repeatedly telling officers he had been stabbed while he remained handcuffed. The footage has prompted widespread criticism and raised serious questions about police decision-making during the incident. Protest March Escalates Into Disorder The demonstration began outside Southampton Central Police Station, where hundreds gathered to demand answers over the police response.

Protesters later marched through the city towards the St Denys area, close to both the murder scene and the family home of Digwa. As tensions rose, objects including chairs, cans and flares were thrown at officers wearing riot gear.

Police were forced to reposition as crowds surged through parts of the city. Throughout the march, demonstrators chanted Henry Nowak's name and repeated the words "I can't breathe" — among the final statements heard from the teenager before his death. Political Row Deepens The protests have quickly become politically charged. Political activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed part of the crowd and criticised the police response to the incident.

However, government ministers and local politicians warned against exploiting the tragedy to inflame divisions. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violence directed at police officers, calling the scenes "completely unacceptable". She stressed that Henry Nowak's family had appealed for the case not to be used to fuel hatred, division or unrest. Local Labour MP Satvir Kaur also warned against attempts to turn the murder into a broader political or communal issue, saying the focus should remain on justice and tackling knife crime.

Investigation Into Police Actions Underway The controversy surrounding the case is unlikely to fade soon. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into Hampshire Police's actions on the night of the stabbing. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also acknowledged that serious questions remain over how officers handled the incident after the bodycam footage became public. For many in Southampton, the issue now extends beyond the conviction of Henry Nowak's killer.

The focus has shifted to whether critical mistakes were made in the moments when the teenager desperately tried to convince officers that he was the victim rather than the suspect. As the investigation continues, authorities face growing pressure to explain exactly what happened that night — and whether lessons must be learned to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring again.