LONDON (AP) – Britain’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has criticized activists for allegedly exploiting a tragedy to incite violence during a protest related to the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. This incident occurred in Southampton, where Nowak was killed in December 2025. The teenager was handcuffed as he lay dying from a stabbing, while the assailant remained nearby.
The protest erupted on a Tuesday night as hundreds gathered to voice their outrage over Nowak’s death. Tensions escalated when police were attacked with chairs, cans, rocks, and flares by some individuals in the crowd. Nowak's murder has reignited discussions about policing practices and the surge of knife crime in the UK, alongside claims by some far-right activists and politicians alleging systemic bias against white individuals within the justice system.
In her statement, Mahmood condemned the violence that erupted at the protest, labeling it “completely unacceptable.” She emphasized the Nowak family's plea to refrain from allowing Henry’s death to serve as a catalyst for further division and hatred. Mahmood warned that those who incite violence could expect to face the full consequences of the law.
Vickrum Digwa, the 23-year-old assailant who has been convicted of murder, falsely claimed that he had been racially attacked by Nowak before fatally stabbing him. Upon arriving at the crime scene, police initially mistook the injured Nowak as a suspect, only realizing the gravity of his condition when he pleaded for help, stating he couldn't breathe.
Digwa received a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years, as the presiding judge dismissed the idea that Nowak had made any racist remarks. Following the sentencing, police released footage that depicted officers ignoring Nowak's repeated claims of being stabbed, raising serious concerns about their response during the incident.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his disgust at the video evidence of the police's handling of the situation, indicating that there are critical questions concerning the influence of alleged racism on police actions during the case. In light of these events, the Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into the behavior of the officers involved, and the National Police Chiefs' Council has announced a review of its anti-racism guidelines.
Mark Nowak, Henry’s father, has called for a focus on ensuring safer streets rather than deepening societal divisions. He reiterated that his son's death should not be manipulated to exacerbate existing tensions related to race or religion.
In stark contrast, Nigel Farage, the leader of the anti-immigration party Reform UK, highlighted what he called instances of "two-tier policing," a phrase often employed by fringe right-wing groups to imply that ethnic minorities are treated preferentially within the legal system. Farage urged the public to respond with "pure cold rage," insisting that “white lives matter just as much as Black lives.” This sentiment has also found resonance among figures like Elon Musk and British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, both of whom have publicly condemned the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Discussion around the cultural practices of the Sikh community has emerged, with some politicians suggesting that Sikhs should be banned from carrying ceremonial daggers known as kirpans. The judge noted that while Digwa was found with a small kirpan, he also possessed an 8-inch (21-centimeter) sheathed dagger that was the murder weapon in the attack on Nowak.
