Henry Nowak murder: two officers under gross misconduct investigation

Nowak, 18, died in December 2025 after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton. Photograph: Family handout/PA View image in fullscreen Nowak, 18, died in December 2025 after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton. Photograph: Family handout/PA Henry Nowak murder: two officers under gross misconduct investigation IOPC to consider if race was a factor in response to student, whom officers initially handcuffed and treated as a suspect Two police officers in the case of Henry Nowak have been placed under investigation for gross misconduct by the police watchdog. Nowak, 18, died in December 2025 after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton. Digwa falsely told police he had been the victim of a racist attack , which led officers to handcuff Nowak and treat him as a suspect, despite him saying he had been stabbed and that he could not breathe. The investigation will also expand to consider whether race was a factor. The case triggered claims from the far right that Nowak’s treatment had stemmed from an anti-white bias. The Independent Office for Police Conduct had been treating officers involved as witnesses, meaning they believed there had been no possible wrongdoing. On Wednesday the policing watchdog said they had changed that view, which in part follows meetings they had with the Nowak family and their lawyer, and a formal complaint from the family of the murdered student. Bodycam footage shows Vickrum Digwa lying to police before his arrest – video The IOPC said it would look at “whether the race or religion of either Henry or the Digwa family impacted on the actions and decision-making of the officers, whether officers’ decisions were influenced by assumptions or prejudice relating to community tensions at the time”. Police officers took eight minutes to discover Henry Nowak’s stab wound, evidence shows Read more In a statement the IOPC said: “The evidence indicates that both officers – who were the first to arrive at the scene late in the evening of 3 December 2025 – may have potentially breached the professional behaviour standards of duties and responsibilities, use of force, and discreditable conduct. “These relate to potential failures by the officers to recognise that Henry needed urgent medical attention, to immediately act after he said he had been stabbed and he couldn’t breathe, and the decision to arrest and handcuff Henry rather than provide immediate first aid. “There’s also an indication one of the officers may have breached the standard relating to authority, respect and courtesy, for appearing to dismiss Henry saying he had been stabbed.” Derrick Campbell from the IOPC said: “Our investigators met with Henry’s family earlier this month where we were able to discuss our investigation with them in depth, now that criminal proceedings have concluded. View image in fullscreen Protesters outside Southampton Central police station on 2 June, holding images of Henry Nowak and a pair of blood-covered handcuffs. Photogra