How the death of a teenager sparked violence and chaos on the streets of a UK city

What started as a peaceful protest outside Southampton Central Police Station against the treatment of murdered teenager Henry Nowak, erupted into a violent chaos which continued until the early hours of Wednesday morning. Over 1,000 protesters were seen chanting 'I can't breathe' which were some of the last words ever spoken by 18-year-old Henry after he was stabbed five times on his way home from a night out in Southampton. Henry Nowak's killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, with a minimum of 21 years. He stabbed the Southampton student to death using a ceremonial knife - a 21cm (8in) blade called a Kirpan, that Digwa said he carried as part of his Sikh faith. After Digwa's sentencing, the police bodycam footage showing Henry Nowak's last moments alive was published. It shows Henry being handcuffed as he struggled to breathe after being stabbed. The violence came amid an outcry about the policing response to the murder after the student’s killer claimed he had been the victim of a racial attack while Mr Nowak was handcuffed by police as he lay dying. In the harrowing footage, Henry can be heard repeatedly saying: “I’ve been stabbed”, to which an officer replies: “Don’t think you have, mate.” Digwa had told police attending the scene of the stabbing in Southampton on December 3, 2025, that he had been the victim of a racist attack. As Henry lay dying, he was being arrested by police officers, who appeared to not believe Henry was the victim of any crime. The footage shows him pleading with police for them to call an ambulance before he loses consciousness. Speaking outside court after Vickrum Digwa's sentencing on Monday, the family of Henry Nowak called for a "full, fearless and transparent investigation" into his death. His father Mark Nowak said: "We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred, or tension. We want his story to make our streets safer for everyone". He said his son was "one of the kindest, friendliest, and most inclusive people you could ever hope to meet. He was amazing in every way". Mark Nowak added that Henry "should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody". "Instead of being treated as a dying victim, police formally arrested Henry and read him his rights. That was the last thing he heard," he said. "Henry did not die with dignity, he did not die with the care he deserved." After Digwa murdered Henry, he gave the knife to his mother and it was later found by police at their family home along with more than 20 other weapons. Digwa's mother Kiran Kaur, 53, was found guilty of assisting an offender. Kaur is due to be sentenced for her role in Henry's death in July this year. The clashes with police come amid growing tensions and scrutiny over how officers dealt with the incident which included arresting and handcuffing Mr Nowak as he lay dying. Laurence Fox and British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon were among those who spoke to the crowd. Violent scenes broke out when a large group walked across town to the area of Portswood, close to the residential street where Henry died. A police helicopter hovered overhead as officers were pelted with stones, bricks and other loose items protesters had been picking up from the street such as ladders and road signs. Some even set a bin alight and pushed it into the riot police, who had formed a wall with their shields. Demonstrators chanted “Henry, Henry” as the line of police were pelted with bricks. Chairs, cans and flares were thrown at police in riot gear, eventually forcing officers and three police vans back from the line they had been holding. Protesters were seen getting into physical altercations with police officers. Some were pictured being pinned to the floor by officers before getting handcuffed. Two people were arrested after unrest in Southampton following the murder of Henry Nowak, policing minister Sarah Jones said. She urged people not to “overreact” following the murder of the student by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, who told police attending the scene of the stabbing in Southampton on December 3 2025 that he had been the victim of a racist attack. Ms Jones told Times Radio: “Some of what we saw yesterday was unacceptable. “There have been two arrests, as I understand it from my briefing this morning, one for assault of a police officer, one for possession of a weapon." Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood later condemned the scenes in Portswood as “completely unacceptable” and accused the demonstrators of “hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder” in defiance of a plea by the Nowak family not to use the murder to feed division and hatred. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) announced it would review anti-racism guidance – called the Race Action Plan – that some have blamed for the actions of the officers who arrested Mr Nowak. NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens said: “We are listening to legitimate concerns about how some of these commitments are worded or phrased, and where needed we can and will make changes, but this should not detract from the intent, which is to improve the quality of policing.” Earlier on Tuesday Hampshire Police said an officer not connected to the case has faced death threats after being misidentified in online posts. In a post on X, the force said: “We recognise the desire for answers about the police response that night” and warned people not to indulge in “harmful online speculation”. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he “felt sick” watching “harrowing” footage of police handcuffing Mr Nowak and said there are “serious questions” to answer about the case. There needs to be an examination into how “accusations of racism” informed the police’s decision-making in the case, he added. The police watchdog is expected to report on the case within the next three months. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said investigators are examining a large amount of body-worn video as well as material presented during Digwa’s trial. Hampshire Police confirmed that one of the officers involved in the case has resigned, while the other three are still serving. All of them are being treated as witnesses. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said people should respond with “pure cold rage” to Mr Nowak’s treatment, which he said was evidence of a “two-tier culture”. Mr Nowak was “actually treated in a way that meant an accusation of a racial slur was treated more seriously than an act of murder”, Mr Farage said. Attorney General Lord Hermer has received “multiple requests” to consider whether Digwa’s sentence should be reviewed as unduly lenient. Digwa, his father Moga Singh, 52, and brother Gurpreet Digwa, 27, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court to face multiple weapons charges. A statement issued by the killer’s family apologised “for the pain and suffering the Nowak family has had to endure”, and for bringing the Sikh community into “disrepute”. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice