UK police face backlash after handcuffing dying student falsely accused of racism by his Sikh killer

The attack and the killer's lies

Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student, was stabbed to death on 3 December 2025 in Southampton, southern England, as he returned from a party. His killer, 23-year-old Sikh man Vickrum Digwa, used a 20-centimetre ceremonial dagger. Immediately after the attack, Digwa told police he was the victim of a racist assault, claiming Nowak had knocked off his turban and caused an eye injury. Digwa's brother also made an emergency call describing a 'racist attack', and before police arrived, Digwa's mother went to the scene to retrieve the bloodied weapon and hide it at their home.

The police response captured on video

Body-worn camera footage released after Monday's sentencing shows Nowak lying on the ground, saying 'I've been stabbed' four times and 'I can't breathe' seven times. An officer replies: 'I don't think you have, mate.' Officers handcuff the dying teenager and read him his rights while Digwa stands beside them, his version of events accepted. Nowak died shortly afterwards, choking on his own blood. Once officers realised he was injured, they removed the handcuffs and began CPR.

I've been stabbed. I can't breathe.

Political firestorm

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for 'pure cold rage' over the case, saying 'an accusation of a racial slur was treated more seriously than an act of murder.' He described a 'two-tier culture' where the rights of ethnic minorities trump those of white British people. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said 'something went terribly wrong in the policing' and argued there should be 'no two-tier policing, no believing that racism only happens to ethnic minorities.' Far-right activist Tommy Robinson denounced 'racist police practices targeting whites' on X. Elon Musk demanded Hampshire Police 'release the body camera videos' and shared posts criticising the force.

Government and family response

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident 'awful, shocking' and said the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation must 'be carried out as quickly as possible and answers delivered.' Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned of a 'dangerous undercurrent' of 'misinformation and inflammatory commentary,' revealing that an unrelated officer had been misidentified online, received death threats, and been forced to relocate his family. Nowak's father said his son's treatment was 'inhumane and degrading' but urged that his death not be 'used to create further division, hatred or tension.'

The police in this country have a sacred duty: to police without fear or favour. Everyone in this country is equal before the law.

The kirpan debate

Digwa carried a longer 21-centimetre blade used in the murder, but the case has reignited calls to ban the kirpan, a small ceremonial dagger worn by baptised Sikhs as an article of faith. Reform UK pledged to repeal the legal exemption under the 1988 Criminal Justice Act and the Offensive Weapons Act 2019. Conservative MP Alicia Kearns said there should be 'no religious exemptions for being armed with blades on our streets.' Reform's Zia Yusuf stated: 'Nobody other than law enforcement will get to carry deadly weapons under a Reform government.' However, no kirpan has ever been used in a violent incident in the UK since the exemption was codified.

New weapons charges

On Tuesday, Digwa appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court alongside his father Moga Singh, 52, and brother Gurpreet Digwa, 27, facing multiple weapons offences. The charges include possessing a flick knife, extendable baton, knuckledusters, machete, swords, and kusaris. Gurpreet faces four additional charges including possessing an air rifle, an axe, and a kirpan in a public place. All offences are dated 4 December 2025, the day after the murder. Proceedings were adjourned until 9 July.