Police investigation into gross misconduct over Henry Nowak's death after knife attack in Southampton
Consensus Summary
Two police officers in Southampton are under investigation for gross misconduct after Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student, died in December 2025 following a knife attack by Vickrum Digwa. Nowak repeatedly called for help, saying 'I can't breathe' and 'I've been stabbed,' but officers handcuffed him instead of providing immediate aid, with one dismissing his claims. Digwa falsely reported a racist attack, leading police to treat Nowak as a suspect. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is examining whether race or religion influenced the officers' decisions, as well as control room actions. Nowak's family formally complained, prompting the IOPC to reopen the case. Digwa was sentenced to life in prison with a 21-year minimum, though the sentence is under appeal. The incident sparked protests that turned violent, and the IOPC will also review whether policy changes are needed to prevent similar failures.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Henry Nowak, 18, died in Southampton on December 3, 2025, after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, a 23-year-old Sikh man
- Two police officers who handcuffed Nowak while he was dying are being investigated for gross misconduct by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
- Nowak repeatedly said 'I can't breathe' and 'I've been stabbed' while handcuffed, with one officer responding, 'I don't think you have, mate'
- Digwa falsely alleged a racist attack, leading police to treat Nowak as a suspect instead of a victim
- The IOPC investigation will examine whether race or religion influenced the officers' decisions
- Digwa was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years (appeal pending)
- The IOPC will also review control room staff decisions, including calls and information passed to officers and ambulance services
- Nowak's family formally complained about police actions, prompting the IOPC to reclassify officers from witnesses to subjects of investigation
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Protests in Southampton turned violent after Nowak's death, with marchers attacking police and blocking roads with stones, bottles, and bins
- Pathologists found Nowak would have died at the scene regardless of the emergency response, and police later called an ambulance and performed CPR
- Nowak's father, Mark, called for calm after Digwa's sentencing, stating the family found police treatment 'inhumane and degrading' but urged against further division
- Body cam footage shows Nowak lying in the street while officers responded to his statements
- The IOPC will consider whether officers' actions were influenced by assumptions or prejudice relating to community tensions or complaints about differential treatment between Nowak and Digwa's family
- The far right claimed Nowak’s treatment stemmed from an anti-white bias, which the IOPC will investigate as part of its review of potential racial or religious influence
- The IOPC initially treated officers as witnesses, believing no wrongdoing occurred, before reclassifying them after meetings with Nowak’s family and a formal complaint
- The IOPC will assess whether changes are needed to national or force policies to improve police practice
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states Nowak's killer was sentenced to life in prison 'last month,' while the Guardian specifies the minimum term is 21 years and notes the sentence is being appealed
Source Articles
'I can't breathe': Police who handcuffed Henry Nowak being investigated
Student Henry Nowak, 18, died while handcuffed by police in the English city of Southampton, after calling out "I can't breathe" and "I've been stabbed".
Henry Nowak murder: two officers under gross misconduct investigation
IOPC to consider if race was a factor in response to student, whom officers initially handcuffed and treated as a suspect Two police officers in the case of Henry Nowak have been placed under investigation for gross misconduct by the police watchdog. Nowak, 18, died in December 2025 after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton. Digwa falsely told police he had been the victim of a racist attack , which led officers to handcuff Nowak and treat him as a suspect, despite him saying he had be