World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Henry Nowak’s family say police misled them after his murder
Henry Nowak’s family say police misled them after the 18-year-old was murdered in Southampton in December 2025.
Nowak was stabbed as he walked home from a night out, and officers handcuffed him while he was bleeding and asking for help.
His killer, Vickrum Digwa, falsely accused him of racial abuse before being jailed for life.
Nowak’s parents say police gave them changing accounts, including whether officers had given first aid and why they arrested him.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s chief constable apologised, saying police failed Nowak when he needed help.
The police watchdog is investigating officers’ actions, while Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has ordered a review of whether agencies missed chances to prevent the murder.
The review’s first phase will examine information authorities had about Digwa, and its second phase will follow the watchdog’s investigation.
Henry Nowak’s family say police misled them about how officers treated him after he was stabbed in Southampton.
Nowak, 18, was handcuffed while bleeding to death after Vickrum Digwa stabbed him on 3 December 2025.
His family say officers wrongly portrayed Nowak as the aggressor and gave changing accounts of their actions.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating, and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced an independent review.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight chief constable Alexis Boon apologised, saying police failed Nowak in his final moments.
- Who
- Henry Nowak, his family, Hampshire police and the agencies reviewing the case.
- What
- Nowak’s family say police misled them and failed to help him after he was stabbed and handcuffed.
- When
- He was murdered on 3 December 2025; the family’s account was published on 1 and 2 November 2026.
- Where
- Southampton, England.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Henry Nowak was stabbed as he walked home from a night out in Southampton.
Police handcuffed Nowak while he repeatedly said he had been stabbed.
Officers took another 24 hours to identify Nowak’s body and tell his family.
The IOPC initially said no officers would face conduct or criminal investigation, citing no concerns about their actions.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary apologised for its actions.
- Victim
- Henry Nowak, 18
- Murderer
- Vickrum Digwa, 23; jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years
- Location
- Southampton
- Date of stabbing
- 3 December 2025
- Review lead
- Alex Chalk, former lord chancellor
- Investigation
- Independent Office for Police Conduct
3 sources
What people are saying
The story was evolving every time we had an interaction.
I do feel that we have been failed multiple times. I fear that we may have been manipulated in our darkest hours.
I am incredibly sorry that in his final moments, when he needed us most, we failed him.
My review will follow the evidence without fear or favour.