British officials have strongly criticized violent outbreaks that occurred during a demonstration in Southampton over the December murder of teenager Henry Nowak, who was restrained with handcuffs as he died while his attacker remained at the scene.
Demonstrators threw chairs, beverage cans, stones and flares at law enforcement officers during Tuesday evening’s protest in the southern English coastal city, where hundreds had gathered following Nowak’s killing in December.
The teenager’s death has sparked discussions about law enforcement practices and blade-related violence, while generating allegations from far-right groups and political figures claiming the justice system shows prejudice against white individuals.
Britain’s interior minister Shabana Mahmood declared Tuesday evening’s violent incidents “completely unacceptable.”
“The Nowak family made a powerful call to us all yesterday to not let Henry’s death be used to create further division, hatred or tension,” she said. “There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder. Those responsible can expect to face the full force of the law.”
The perpetrator, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, who is Sikh, made false accusations that he had been racially attacked by Nowak, an 18-year-old white male. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they initially considered the wounded teenager a suspect before discovering his injuries and attempting life-saving measures.
Digwa received a murder conviction and was sentenced Monday to life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum of 21 years. The presiding judge stated he found no evidence that Nowak had made racist remarks toward his attacker.
Following the court proceedings, authorities released footage showing officers disregarding Nowak’s pleas for help when he reported being stabbed and repeatedly stated he was unable to breathe.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed being disturbed by the video evidence and said there are questions requiring answers about how “accusations of racism informed the decision-making in this case.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct, which examines allegations of law enforcement misconduct, is investigating the actions of officers from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. The National Police Chiefs’ Council announced it would examine its anti-racism policies following this incident.
Following the court hearing, the victim’s father, Mark Nowak, emphasized the case was not about racism or religion, stating he hoped his son’s death would contribute to improved public safety rather than being exploited to generate “further division, hatred or tension.”
However, Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, characterized the incident Tuesday as evidence of alleged two-tier policing — a common far-right argument suggesting ethnic minorities receive preferential treatment over white individuals.
Farage encouraged people to respond to the situation with “pure cold rage,” and declared “white lives matter just as much as Black lives.” X owner Elon Musk and British far-right activist Tommy Robinson have also voiced anger about the crime.
Some political figures have proposed prohibiting Sikhs from carrying ceremonial blades, called kirpans. The judge noted that Digwa possessed a small kirpan but also carried an 8-inch (21-centimeter) sheathed Sikh dagger that served as the murder weapon against Nowak.
