Police handling of stabbing victim falsely accused of racism by her killer sparks public outcry
Hundreds of people have gathered in Southampton to protest the killing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak and his treatment by police in his final moments. The protesters initially gathered outside the police station in the city center before moving closer to the house of his killer, Vickrum Singh Digwa.
Tuesday’s rally followed the release of police tape showing officers handcuffing a stabbing victim while ignoring his pleas for help after his killer falsely accused the student of carrying out a racist attack. The footage sparked a debate over allegations of unequal police treatment of different ethnic groups, also known as “Two-level policing,” and caused outrage throughout the country.
The meeting on Tuesday followed the release of police footage showing officers handcuffing a stabbing victim and failing to respond to his pleas for help after the suspect falsely accused him of carrying out a racist attack. The footage reignited debate over alleged racial inequality by police – often described by critics as “Two Level Policing” – causing public outrage.
Protests in Southampton continue as police now secure Vickrum Digwa’s family home following the release of the horrific Henry Nowak tape. pic.twitter.com/sHTGpXRvHZ
— Pacific Wire (@ChynoNews) June 2, 2026
The participants of the meeting chanted the name of Nowak and “I can’t breathe” – the words he was saying when he was arrested. Activist Tommy Robinson joined the protest, telling the crowd that the trial was over “about the race.”
At times, violence broke out. Videos circulating on social media showed the crowd throwing various objects at riot police. Chairs, cans, flames, bricks, barrels and an electronic scooter were reportedly thrown at the officers, forcing them to leave some areas.
🇬🇧 The British attack the police who protected the Muslim killer.
The events of the death of English student Henry Nowak, who was stabbed by a Muslim, angered the residents of Southampton. pic.twitter.com/OJbY1KEucK
– Rafael Fontana (@RafaelFontana) June 3, 2026
Police responded by firing back, including hitting protesters with riot shields. 11 police officers along with a police dog were injured in the clashes, according to reports. Two people were arrested as a result of the incidents, while police said the number of arrests would increase as they reviewed images from the scene.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence at the protest by calling it “shameful and totally unacceptable.” He also criticized British Reform leader Nigel Farage for what he called “unforgivable” response to Nowak’s murder. Earlier Farage called on the British public to respond to the incident and “Pure, cold anger” and call it proof of “A double standard culture.”
Hampshire police chief, Alexis Boon, told the BBC that “we, as a society, cannot accept … violent incidents” appear in the procession. He accused some of the protesters of wanting to cause “trouble and trouble” while denying allegations of two-level policing.
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