Massive protests have erupted in the U.K. city of Southampton following the release of officer-worn body camera footage in the murder of Henry Nowak, a British teen who was murdered by a Sikh immigrant. The case has generated global outrage after police placed the dying Nowak in handcuffs due to bogus allegations of “racism.”
Nowak, 18, was fatally stabbed in the city on December 3, 2025. Tuesday’s demonstrations centered on police handling of the incident, particularly the initial response captured in bodycam footage that was released and played in court.
Nowak, a first-year finance student at the University of Southampton from Chafford Hundred in Essex, had been walking home alone after a night out with friends. According to court evidence, he encountered Vickrum Digwa, then 23, on Belmont Road in the Portswood area.
Digwa stabbed Nowak five times with a 21cm ceremonial kirpan blade that he carried as part of his Sikh faith. Nowak sustained wounds to his chest, face, and legs, including a fatal injury to the heart. He attempted to flee and seek help, leaving a trail of blood, before collapsing.
When police arrived at the scene, Digwa told officers that Nowak had racially abused him and knocked off his turban. Officers initially treated Nowak as the suspect after arriving on the scene.
Bodycam footage showed Nowak, visibly injured and bleeding, telling police he had been stabbed and repeatedly stating that he could not breathe. Officers responded by handcuffing him, with one officer reportedly saying words to the effect of “You’ve been stabbed? Don’t think you have, mate.”
Nowak was placed against a wall and arrested for assault while Digwa was spoken to separately. The footage showed Nowak’s hand appearing pale due to significant blood loss. Medical aid was provided only after officers realized the extent of his injuries. Nowak died less than an hour later.
Hampshire Police later apologized, stating they had been misled by Digwa’s false allegations. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation into the officers’ actions, including the use of handcuffs and the first aid provided.
Digwa was convicted of murder on June 1, 2026, at Southampton Crown Court and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.
The disturbing body cam footage can be viewed below. Viewer discretion is advised:
Bodycam footage has been released showing Henry Nowak begging for an ambulance before being handcuffed behind his back.
Nowak: "I've been stabbed"
Officer: "I don't think you have mate"
Follow: @europa pic.twitter.com/WqYV760Y14
— Europa.com (@europa) June 1, 2026
Protests began outside Southampton Central Police Station on June 2, the following day. Footage from the scene shows a large crowd of peaceful protesters outside the station, a number of whom chanted “I can’t breathe” and “racist police, off our streets,” among other chants.
The demonstration remained largely outside the police station initially but extended to other locations, including residential streets in the St Denys and Portswood areas near the site of the stabbing. Some protesters moved toward buildings associated with the incident. Clashes occurred as groups threw bottles, cans, stones, bricks, chairs, and flares at officers.
Police in riot gear used shields and made charges to disperse crowds, with a helicopter deployed overhead. Officers were forced to retreat at points before regaining positions. No major injuries to officers or protesters were widely reported in initial accounts, though the situation has remained tense into the evening.
Locals are clashing with the police now in Southampton as the protest in memory of Henry Nowak winds down. I’ve seen bottles, fencing, and even bins being thrown, resulting in bloody faces for some of the protesters pic.twitter.com/znBDlG1Q67
— Jack Hadfield
Protesters have approached a police line just east of Portswood station in Southampton, chanting Henry Nowak’s last words, “I can’t breathe!” pic.twitter.com/wjOXEJnWGv
— Jack Hadfield
Nowak’s family has called for a transparent investigation, emphasizing that while they hold Digwa responsible for the murder, their son should not have died in police custody under the circumstances.
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