Donna Jones renews calls for review of knife law exemptions after Henry Nowak murder

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has renewed her calls for the government to commission an urgent review of the legislation governing religious exemptions for bladed articles carried in public, following fresh calls from the family of Henry Nowak.

It is a criminal offence to have an article with a blade or point, other than a folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches or less, in a public place without a valid justification. However, carrying an article for religious reasons, work purposes and as part of national costumes are acceptable reasons for exception to this law.

Vickrum Digwa, who was convicted of the murder of Henry Nowak in May, was carrying two knives with religious exemptions when he stabbed Nowak in 2025.

Digwa was weairng a small kirpan, a religious knife which baptised Sikhs are expected to carry at all times, around his neck, but was also carrying a larger one on a belt, in keeping with an order of Sikhs known as the Nihang.

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Mrs Jones has written a letter to the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warning her that considering the issue of knife legislation exemptions is no longer sufficient, and that action is needed.

This follows letters Mrs Jones sent to the Prime Minister in June following the conclusion of the Digwa’s trial, where she raised concerns about gaps in the current legislation. No formal review of the law has been commissioned.

Mrs Jones said: "I welcome the fact that the Home Secretary is now considering this issue. However, her statement does not go far enough. Henry’s murder must be the turning point to commission a review.

"I wrote to the Prime Minister twice in June following the outcome of Vickrum Digwa's trial and I'm yet to receive a reply. I highlighted the concerns raised by this case and the need for clarity in the law.

“Despite the immense grief the Nowak family continue to endure, they have approached their call for a national review of the legislation with remarkable dignity and respect.

“They want a clear, common-sense law that protects the public and clear national guidance that enables the police to enforce the law with confidence.

"In the last six months I've had continued dialogue with the Sikh community and I recognise the importance of the kirpan as a sacred article of faith. I have been clear any review must be undertaken in partnership with Sikh communities and enshrine their rights in law so they can legally carry a small, safe kirpan.”

"The current position of a sweeping exemption leaves too much ambiguity and room for interpretation. The Home Secretary now has an opportunity to turn those calls into meaningful change.

“The greatest legacy we can give Henry is to ensure no other family has to endure the same unimaginable loss."