Henry Nowak murder sparks police bodycam footage controversy in UK

The recent release of police bodycam footage has ignited a significant controversy surrounding the December 2025 murder of 18-year-old UK student Henry Nowak in Southampton. The footage shows officers handcuffing Nowak, who was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, despite Nowak repeatedly telling them he had been wounded and couldn't breathe. An officer is heard dismissing his pleas, saying, "Don't think you have, mate," shortly before Nowak died.

Vickrum Digwa, who falsely claimed Nowak had racially assaulted him, was convicted of murder on May 28, 2026, and sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison. Nowak's father has condemned the police's handling as "inhumane and degrading," leading to a formal investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into the officers' actions, including the use of handcuffs and their initial medical response.

The incident has sparked widespread debate in the UK regarding policing, race, and knife crime, with concerns raised about potential influences of anti-racism training on the initial police response. Political figures, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have urged for calm and cautioned against the exploitation of the case to sow division.