UK police chief apologises after handcuffed student's murder sparks violent protests and political firestorm

The murder and the police response

Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student, was stabbed five times by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa in Southampton on 3 December 2025. When officers arrived, Digwa falsely claimed he had been the victim of a racist attack. Bodycam footage shows Nowak, lying on the ground, repeatedly telling officers he had been stabbed and could not breathe. An officer is heard replying, "Don't think you have, mate." Police handcuffed and arrested the dying teenager. Nowak died at the scene. Court pathologists later found he would have died of his injuries regardless of the emergency response.

I'm so sorry you've had to go through this.

Digwa, a Sikh, was sentenced on Monday to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. Prosecutors are considering referring the sentence to the Court of Appeal, deeming it too lenient.

The apology and the investigation

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Chief Constable Alexis Boon told the BBC he was "distressed" by the footage and apologised on behalf of the force for the way Nowak was handcuffed and arrested. He confirmed one officer involved has left the force for an unrelated reason and three others are no longer on front-line duties. Boon said he would not resign and would not pre-judge the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into the police response.

What was filmed there is a tragedy, an absolute tragedy. You can't help but be affected by it. It's very difficult to watch.

Violent protests in Southampton

On Tuesday evening, hundreds gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station. The protest turned violent: 11 police officers were injured, 2 people were arrested, and officers were attacked with rocks and flares. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violence as "completely unacceptable" and warned against "hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder." A further protest was planned outside Parliament in London at midday on Wednesday.

There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder.

Political and transatlantic reaction

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the case showed police gave preferential treatment to ethnic minorities and that people should respond with "pure cold rage." Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Farage of exploiting the death to create "grievance and division." Elon Musk posted repeatedly about the case, writing: "Official police policy requires them to be racist against whites." Far-right activist Tommy Robinson addressed the crowd in Southampton, saying, "This is about race."

We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.

The anti-racism guidance review

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) is reviewing the language of its Police Race Action Plan, which advises officers not to be "colour blind" and establishes a "commitment to racial equity." Conservative figures, including leader Kemi Badenoch, have called the case a "seminal moment" comparable to the murder of Stephen Lawrence. Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Stephen's mother, urged politicians not to revoke progress on racial equality. Home Office minister Lord Hanson said the police have a "sacred duty to police without fear or favour" and that everyone is equal before the law.

My condolence goes out to Henry Nowak's family. I think what's happened with him should never have happened.