Southampton erupts over police response to fatal stabbing in kirpan killer case

TOI correspondent from London: Violence erupted in the port city of Southampton on England’s south coast after police released bodycam footage showing officers handcuffing fatally wounded university student Henry Nowak moments before his death from a British Indian Sikh’s kirpan attack last year, fuelling protests over allegations of two-tier policing and prompting a review of UK’s anti-racism guidance.

Eleven police officers and a police dog were wounded Tuesday night as demonstrators clashed with riot police, hurling bricks, bottles and wheelie bins. Homes and vehicles were damaged as crowds shouted “Racist police, off our streets” and carried signs reading “Henry’s blood is on your hands”.

Protesters also took the knee, echoing demonstrations after the death of George Floyd in US, and demanded police officers do the same. Officers refused.

Unrest followed the release Monday of footage from Hampshire police showing officers placing 18-year-old Nowak in handcuffs and reading him his rights shortly after he was stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, with a Sikh ceremonial dagger on Dec 4, 2025.

Critics said officers chose to believe Digwa’s account that Nowak had pulled off his turban, despite Nowak repeatedly telling police, “I can’t breathe” and “I have been stabbed”. Footage was released hours after Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for murdering Nowak.

Opposition lawmakers have blamed anti-racism guidance issued last year by National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), along with Hampshire police’s anti-racism action plan, for officers’ actions during the confrontation. NPCC confirmed its guidance is under review following backlash.

On Tuesday, Digwa appeared in court alongside his brother Gurpreet Digwa, 27, and father Moga Singh, 52. All three face six counts of possessing offensive weapons.

Court proceedings drew attention to allegations made by Southampton’s Gurdwara Khalsa Darbar in 2023 that Digwa stole about £1,000 worth of shaster knives from the temple. Digwa was banned from the gurdwara but was never charged.

Britain’s Sikh community heads have condemned Digwa’s actions and sought to distance the faith from the killing.

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