Police officers took eight minutes to discover Henry Nowak’s stab wound, evidence shows

In footage from the incident last December, Henry Nowak can be heard repeatedly saying ‘I’ve been stabbed’. Photograph: Hampshire Police/PA View image in fullscreen In footage from the incident last December, Henry Nowak can be heard repeatedly saying ‘I’ve been stabbed’. Photograph: Hampshire Police/PA Police officers took eight minutes to discover Henry Nowak’s stab wound, evidence shows Transcript of body-worn camera footage reveals moment officers realised handcuffed Nowak was seriously injured Police officers who arrested Henry Nowak took about eight minutes to discover his stab wound, newly released evidence shows. Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years for Nowak’s murder after falsely claiming the 18-year-old had racially abused him in Southampton. Nowak was stabbed multiple times while walking back to his student accommodation alone after a night out. A three-minute police body-worn video was released showing Nowak, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died in December 2025. The footage led to violent protests in the city. A longer transcript of the footage released by the Crown Prosecution Service, obtained by the BBC, reveals the moment that officers realised Nowak had been stabbed. Court of appeal to review sentence for man who murdered Henry Nowak Read more In the footage from the incident, Nowak can be heard repeatedly saying: “I’ve been stabbed,” to which an officer replies: “You’ve been stabbed? Whereabouts? Don’t think you have, mate.” The officer later says “he’s saying he’s been stabbed so let’s just check him and see”, and a female police officer calls for an ambulance, describing how the student’s pupils are not reacting before the video ends. In the transcript an officer identified as police officer one said: “I’m not sure he’s breathing.” They uncuff Nowak and start CPR. Police officer one then says: “Come on mate. That’s it, that’s it. Keeping breathing. Come on.” According to the timestamps, between five minutes and 24 seconds and seven minutes and 33 seconds, a female police officer asks for a torch, wanting to make sure Nowak has not been stabbed, and asks for scissors. After seven minutes and 33 seconds, the officer cuts his clothing and police officer one asks if he has been stabbed there, with an unseen gesture. Protesters clash with police in Southampton over Henry Nowak murder Read more The female officer replies: “Yes, he’s got a stab … there’s a mark there.” Police officer one adds: “That makes it worse. He’s got a stab … I’m pushing on a fucking stab wound.” The female officer says: “That’s OK. It’s fine … It’s not coming out. It’s fine. Keep going. Keep going. It’s not bleeding out.” Police officer one continues chest compressions and then a paramedic arrives. The officer tells him: “We just discovered a stab wound in his chest.” The recording was released with no objection from Nowak’s family after consult