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Murder of Henry Nowak

On 3 December 2025, Henry Nowak,}} an 18‑year‑old university student, was murdered in Southampton, Hampshire, England, by 23‑year‑old Vickrum Singh Digwa. Police bodycam footage showing officers arresting Nowak as he lay dying from stab wounds sparked public outrage, parliamentary debate, and wider discussion about policing and knife laws. Nowak had been walking home when he encountered Digwa, who stabbed him five times with a 21 cm (8.3 in) dagger he claimed was carried for Sikh religious reasons.

When police officers arrived at the scene, Nowak was lying on the ground saying he had been stabbed and could not breathe. Digwa denied having stabbed Nowak, and falsely told the officers that Nowak had assaulted him and used a racial slur, prompting the officers to handcuff and arrest Nowak moments before he lost consciousness and died. In response to Nowak revealing he had been stabbed, the arresting officer replied "You've been stabbed? Don't think you have, mate." Following the death of Nowak, the police force referred itself to the IOPC.

Digwa was convicted of murder in May 2026 and sentenced to life imprisonment the following month, with a minimum term of 21 years. His mother was convicted of assisting an offender by hiding the dagger, and further charges were brought against Digwa and other family members over weapons found at their home.

The release of the police bodycam footage prompted political controversy, a PCC‑commissioned enquiry, and protests in Southampton. Nowak's family called for a review of knife laws and Sikh exemptions, while politicians debated policing standards and allegations of "two‑tier policing". On 26 October 2026, the Home Secretary announced an independent review into the circumstances surrounding the murder. Provided by Wikipedia