Henry Nowak: Investigation into police training begins after murder victim killed by Vickrum Digwa handcuffed
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Bodyworn police footage of the incident was widely condemned
Training methods for police officers will be investigated after a murder victim was handcuffed in the street.
An independent inspection has begun following the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton on December 3 last year. Assailant Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to life in prison on June 1, 2026, after stabbing the Essex student in Belmont Road.
Using an 8in blade, a ceremonial dagger Digwa was carrying because of his Sikh religion, Digwa inflicted chest wounds on Nowak which caused significant internal bleeding. Rather than calling an ambulance or police immediately though, Digwa filmed Henry as he sat on the floor. Digwa's mother then arrived at the scene and removed the knife.
When police arrived, Digwa claimed that he had acted in self-defence, accusing Henry of being racist. The victim was then arrested and handcuffed. Shocking bodyworn camera footage released by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary showed the ordeal.
Nowak can be heard saying “I can’t breathe” and “I’ve been stabbed” multiple times as he is handcuffed on the ground. In response, the officer handcuffing Nowak says, “I don’t think you have, mate.”
Police and crime commissioner Donna Jones requested an inspection into the police’s effectiveness in responding to incidents of serious violence. This was done under section 54(2BA) of the Police Act 1996.
The inspection, being carried out by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service will consider the end-to-end process through the control room, including call handling, dispatch and initial attendance at incidents of serious violence. It will also assess decision-making and risk assessment training, specifically how the organisation supports officers and staff to make sound, impartial judgments free from bias, and where immediate action including first aid is required.
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: "The public must have confidence that police officers receive the right information, the right training and the right support to make critical decisions.
"This inspection will provide an independent assessment of the force’s training, processes and culture including the handling of allegations of racially aggravated assault. Henry’s family deserve answers, and the public deserve reassurance that their police service is equipped to recognise victims and provide the highest standard of care when it matters most."
The investigation is not examininng the conduct or actions of the officers involved on December 3, 2025. This is being investigated separately by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
The fallout of Vickrum Digwa’s sentencing caused protests - some violent - across the country amid accusations of two-tier policing. Misinformation flowed on social media, with a former Portsmouth police officer unconnected to the incident having to hide in a safe house.
Christi Hill, who served as a police constable in Portsmouth for 12 years, had her name and picture falsely circulated online by AI. She was accused of being a “murderer”, despite leaving the force in 2024, 20 months before the incident.