On Tuesday evening, riot police clashed with protesters who had gathered in Southampton over the police handling of the murder of Henry Nowak.

Nowak, 18, was stabbed as he walked back to his student accommodation in Southampton in December last year.

Hundreds of people took part in a demonstration outside Southampton Central Police Station before gathering close to the family home of Vickrum Digwa.

The BBC's Peter Cooke, who was at the protest, says items including bins, bricks and an e-scooter were thrown at police.

Image source, PA Media

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for the Labour Party to respond to Henry Nowak's death as seriously as they responded to the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by police in the US in 2020.

A police officer was filmed kneeling on Floyd's neck during his arrest.

Badenoch told BBC Newsnight on Tuesday that when Keir Starmer was leader of the opposition he "took the knee", a symbolic gesture against racism, following Floyd's death.

"They were taking the knee for something that happened in another country", she said.

"I want them to take as seriously what is happening in this country, what they did with George Floyd."

Image source, PA Media

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has condemned the "violence and disorder" in Southampton last night - saying it was "completely unacceptable".

Several hundreds of people gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station before moving close to the family home of Vickrum Digwa in St Denys.

"The Nowak family made a powerful call to us all yesterday to not let Henry’s death be used to create further division, hatred or tension," Mahmood said in a post on X last night.

"There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder. Those responsible can expect to face the full force of the law.

"I thank the police who have tonight shown great bravery and calm in the face of disgraceful violence directed at them."

The aftermath of the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa for the murder of Henry Nowak is the focus across most of Wednesday's papers.

Several look at the outrage sparked by the release of police bodycam footage, while others examine the political fallout, policing policies and calls for calm after what has been reported as fears of racial tension.

For a full look at what's in today's papers read our wrap up of what's making news here.

Stuart Rust
South of England reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Last night, police officers were pelted with missiles during a protest near the Southampton home of Henry Nowak's killer.

A crowd of several hundred initially took part in a demonstration outside Southampton Central Police Station before gathering close to the family home of Vickrum Digwa in St Denys.

The 23-year-old was jailed for life on Monday after being convicted of murdering Nowak, 18, as he walked back to his student accommodation in Southampton in December 2025.

Protesters marched across the city from the police station to the St Denys area, close to where Henry was murdered in December. Chairs, cans and flares were thrown at officers in riot gear, forcing them to retreat.

You can read more here.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) says its investigation into Hampshire Constabulary's handling of the murder of Henry Nowak "remains ongoing".

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons yesterday that the IOPC will be "encouraged" to find the truth and "if necessary, ensure there are consequences". She added its findings will be reported "within the next three months".

In a statement, the police watchdog's director Derrick Campbell said:

• The investigation began following a mandatory referral from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police following Nowak's death in December 2025
• It will cover the contact officers had with Nowak prior to his death, "including the use of handcuffs by officers and the first aid provided"
• The IOPC will review a "large amount of police body worn footage", in the context of other evidence
• The officers involved are currently being treated as witnesses - but this will be kept under review

Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said yesterday she has also launched an investigation, by requesting His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) urgently inspect the handling of the call coming into the police control room, the way the officers were deployed and the training they were given.

A national unit of senior police chiefs says it will review anti-racism guidance that has been at the centre of criticism over the actions of officers who arrested murder victim Henry Nowak as he was dying.

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has announced it will look into policing's anti-racism commitment document with NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens saying it is "listening to legitimate concerns about how some of these commitments are worded or phrased".

"Where needed we can and will make changes, but this should not detract from the intent, which is to improve the quality of policing," he says.

The guidance, which was issued last year, suggested officers should treat ethnic minorities differently in order to ensure what it calls "equality of outcomes".

Nabiha Ahmed
Live reporter

Image source, PA

Bodycam footage showing Henry Nowak's final moments was described as "harrowing" by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as he said there are "serious questions for the police to answer".

The 18-year-old Southampton student told police "I can't breathe" shortly before he died, after his killer Vickrum Digwa, 23, lied to officers at the scene, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack.

The footage has sparked outrage and led the police watchdog to carry out an independent investigation into how Nowak's murder was handled.

Starmer said the question of "how accusations of racism informed decision making" must be addressed.

It has also prompted the Conservatives and Reform UK to say the UK should not have "two-tier policing," with people treated differently because of the colour of their skin - a claim which Downing Street rejects.

A source close to the home secretary told the BBC this evening that a police anti-racism commitment is clumsy in its wording.

Meanwhile, Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has called for a separate investigation from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.

We're ending our live coverage now, but you can read more in our news story.

Harry Farley
Political correspondent

Image source, House of Commons

As we've been reporting, a source close to the Home Secretary has said that a police anti-racism commitment is clumsy in its wording.

It comes after the chair of the NPCC, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, said he was listening to "legitimate concerns" about how a document outlining anti-racism commitments are "worded or phrased".

"Where needed we can and will make changes, but this should not detract from the intent, which is to improve the quality of policing," he said.

Sources close to Shabana Mahmood said it was right the language is reviewed to ensure there is no ambiguity.

It comes after the shadow home secretary Chris Philp raised concerns about the document, which is produced by the NPCC and College of Policing.

He highlighted a section that said producing equality of policing outcomes for people of different ethnic groups "does not mean treating everyone 'the same' or being 'colour blind'".

"The police Anti Racism Commitment is divisive, immoral and dangerous," he said.

"Criminals are not being properly policed and the public endangered as a result. It is wrong that people are treated differently based on the colour of their skin, which is what the document requires," he added.

"Everyone should simply be treated the same regardless of race. We cannot have a society divided along religious or racial lines."

What do Sikh traditions have to do with this case?published at 19:19 BST 2 June

19:19 BST 2 June

Aleem Maqbool
Religion editor

When it comes to UK law prohibiting the carrying of knives and blades in public, there is a clear exemption for kirpans. But the killing of Henry Nowak has led to some debate on the issue.

Kirpans are usually curved, ceremonial knives worn by Sikhs as one of the five physical symbols of their faith - along with long hair, a comb, a steel bracelet and cotton underclothes. They are kept close to the body in a sheath and strap (gatra), and while there's no specification as to how long a kirpan should be, Sikh groups in the UK advise people to choose small blades (of around three to six inches) when worn in public.

More than anything, they are meant to be a symbolic reminder to Sikhs to protect the weak and uphold righteousness.

In the case of Vickrum Digwa, the Southampton attacker, Sikh groups issued clarification that he was carrying two blades on the night of the murder: a small kirpan worn around his neck and a second, much longer knife worn outside his clothing that was used to fatally stab Nowak.

They said Digwa's claim that he had carried the longer knife for religious reasons was false.

During the trial, the prosecution team referred to the murder weapon as a "shastar", the Punjabi word for knife, and also dismissed Digwa's claim of carrying it having been a religious obligation. While the trial judge did not refer to Digwa's longer knife as a "kirpan", he did call it a "large Sikh dagger".

Nevertheless, the case has led to some calls for the wearing of the kirpan to be banned.

Groups like the Sikh Federation say that British Sikhs understand the responsibilities that come with the privilege of wearing a kirpan and that once one is drawn, it is no longer legal but also no longer considered to be a kirpan.

Adina Campbell
UK correspondent

A source close to the home secretary says wording in the ‘commitment’ document relating to the 2022 Race Action Plan is clumsy.

We’re told the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the group that represents the most senior police officers in the UK, is reviewing the wording to ensure there is more clarity and everyone is equal in the eyes of the law.

Henry Nowak's murder raises questions about race, racism and people in positions of powerpublished at 19:02 BST 2 June

19:02 BST 2 June

Adina Campbell
UK correspondent

Image source, Family handout

Bodycam footage shows 18-year-old Henry Nowak being handcuffed and telling police "I can't breathe" shortly before he died, after his killer Vickrum Digwa, 23, lied to officers at the scene, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack.

Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said "this has not happened by accident, it is enshrined in the police's own policy documents".

Philp made reference to the Police Anti-Racism Commitment, born out of the 2022 Police Race Action Plan, which is a commitment by police to tackle racial inequalities by securing the trust of all ethnic groups.

It means officers have a duty to take a stand against racism in all forms and have to be transparent about their actions.

Philp told the Commons that the anti-racism commitment "urges police forces to reverse engineer the same arrest rates between ethnic groups, even though the offending rates are different".

The plan’s credibility continues to be questioned by anti-racism campaigners and ethnic minority communities who believe change is too slow.

Black and Asian people, for example, are still disproportionately stopped and searched by police in England and Wales according to the latest Home Office figures.

The National Black Police Association also withdrew its support for the plan after years of what it called “broken promises”.

The Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner has said there is no evidence of a "two-tiered culture" in policing and she is "concerned" about community tensions in Southampton.

Donna Jones told the BBC that Reform leader Nigel Farage's comments - that the case of Henry Nowak is evidence of a "two-tiered culture" - are "ill-judged" and Farage could be responsible for stoking up hate crime.

Jones has asked His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to conduct an urgent inspection into the matters arising from the murder of Henry Nowak.

This includes asking the Inspectorate to examine whether the handling of the call coming into the police control room, the way the officers were deployed, and the training they were given were all appropriate.

This is separate to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.

“Henry’s family deserve answers and the public deserves reassurance that the police are trained to serve without fear or favour," Jones says.

Hampshire Police has confirmed the resignation of one of the officers involved in the Henry Nowak case.

A spokesperson said: "Three of the officers are still serving, one officer has resigned. As the IOPC has confirmed, they are all being treated as witnesses, so not subject to any current restrictions."

Image source, FAMILY HANDOUT

We've just heard the prime minister say that the police have "serious questions" to answer over how they handled the arrest of Harry Nowak, including how "accusations of racism" informed decision-making.

Here's a look back at what happened.

Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December last year while walking home after a night out.

He suffered stab wounds to his legs and a fatal wound to his heart from a 21cm (8in) blade. He was stabbed by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, who said he was carrying the blade as part of his Sikh faith.

When police arrived at the scene, bodycam footage shows Digwa claiming Nowak had taken his turban off and grabbed him by the hair in a racially-motivated attack. This was not true.

Officers then turn to Nowak, who can be heard repeating "I've been stabbed" and then "I can't breathe" while he is made to sit up to be handcuffed. An officer can be heard saying: "Don't think you have, mate."

While being handcuffed, Nowak says "I can't breathe" another three times.

On 1 June, Digwa was sentenced to life in prison, for a minimum of 21 years.

After speaking to broadcasters, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has posted on X saying there are "serious questions for the police to answer" after the murder of Henry Nowak.

Here's his post in full:

"Henry Nowak was kind, thoughtful and much-loved. His life was stolen from him, leaving his family and loved ones devastated.

"The bodycam footage is harrowing. It’s absolutely right that the IOPC is looking at this. There are serious questions for the police to answer."

Image source, Pool

Starmer says Reform leader Nigel Farage's response - in which he said the case is evidence of a "two-tiered culture" and called for "pure, cold rage" - is the "wrong reaction".

The PM says he takes his lead from the family of murdered teen Henry Nowak who say "they do not want this whipped up".

He adds that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation should reach its conclusion before considering if there should be a wider inquiry.

Starmer says "there are searching questions for the police that are going to have to be answered".

It is "absolutely right" that the police watchdog investigate this, he continues.

The prime minister also says there are "clearly serious questions that need to be addressed, not least how accusations of racism informed the decision making in this case".

"It is impossible to watch that footage and not appreciate that those questions absolutely have to be answered."

We're now hearing from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who says the police bodycam footage of Henry Nowak is "harrowing".

He says that as a father of a 17-year-old, he "felt sick" watching the footage.

Speaking to broadcasters, the prime minister says the 18-year-old was a "kind, thoughtful and much loved young man" and his death has been "devastating" for his family and everyone who knew him.

Image source, PA Media

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons earlier that the family of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student who was murdered in December last year, deserve answers. Here's a recap:

A brief reminder of the case

Shortly before he died on 3 December 2025, Nowak was handcuffed and arrested while he was telling police he had been stabbed and couldn't breathe.

His killer, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa had lied to police at the scene, saying he had been the victim of a racist attack. On Monday, Digwa was sentenced to life in prison for the murder.

Mahmood described Nowak's murder as "an act of pure evil" and called police bodycam footage showing officers handcuffing the 18-year-old "a disturbing and tragic thing to see".

The police watchdog investigation

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who are investigating Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's handling of the murder, today said the investigation remains ongoing.

It added the police officers called to the murder scene are being treated as witnesses, but that this will be kept under review.

The home secretary said this afternoon that the IOPC will be "encouraged" to find the truth and "if necessary, ensure there are consequences".

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp urged the IOPC to "urgently and transparently" report how police were "more concerned with the accusation of racism" than they were "in helping a dying man".

Image source, HANDOUT

Wider political reaction

Away from the Commons, Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the case "awful" and "shocking", while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the incident is evidence of a "two-tier culture" in Britain.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the case shows "something has gone horribly wrong with policing" and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called it an "evil murder made so much worse by the police response".