Southampton protests turn violent after police video of Henry Nowak killing released

In December, 18‑year‑old student Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed in Southampton. Twenty‑three‑year‑old Vickrum Digwa was later sentenced to life imprisonment with a 21‑year safety term for the murder.

A police video released by Hampshire Constabulary showed officers handcuffing the dying Nowak, who repeatedly said he could not breathe. The footage sparked outrage across the United Kingdom. More than a thousand people gathered outside the Southampton police station on Tuesday night, throwing bricks, bottles and chairs at officers and damaging vehicles. Eleven police officers and one police dog were injured, and several demonstrators were arrested.

Far‑right activist Tommy Robinson and politician Nigel Farage addressed the crowd, accusing the police of "two‑tier policing" and alleging discrimination against white Britons. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attacks on police, called the violence "shameful", and pledged a full investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).