UK police charge six over violent disorder at Southampton protest after student’s death

British police announced on Saturday that six additional individuals have been charged with violent disorder, bringing the total to 11 people accused of disorder during a protest in Southampton, England. The demonstration followed the December stabbing death of 18‑year‑old university student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed by officers as he lay dying, a moment captured on police body‑worn video that sparked widespread outrage.

Nowak’s killer, 23‑year‑old Vickrum Digwa, a Sikh, was convicted of murder for stabbing the student with a Sikh dagger and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the street violence as “disgraceful and completely unacceptable,” while urging the public not to exploit the tragedy for further disorder. The incident also drew comments from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who linked the murder to immigration, prompting a rebuttal from Starmer’s office.