Two Hampshire Constabulary police officers are under investigation for potential gross misconduct over their handling of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed and arrested while suffering fatal stab wounds after being attacked by Sikh man Vickrum Singh Digwa in Southampton in December 2025.Digwa was later convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. According to a report by the BBC, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said evidence suggests the officers who first arrived at the scene may have breached professional standards by failing to recognise that Nowak required urgent medical treatment and by choosing to arrest and handcuff him instead of providing immediate first aid.
Probe focuses on arrest decision and medical response
The watchdog said its investigation will examine whether the officers failed to adequately respond after Nowak repeatedly stated that he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe. One officer is also being investigated over concerns that he appeared to dismiss the teenager’s claim that he had been attacked.IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell said investigators had recently met Nowak’s family following the conclusion of criminal proceedings and had reviewed evidence gathered during the inquiry.“As a result, two officers will now face gross misconduct investigations,” Campbell said, adding that public confidence in policing may have been seriously damaged by the incident.The IOPC stressed that the issuance of gross misconduct notices does not automatically mean disciplinary proceedings will follow. A final decision will be taken once the investigation is complete.
Watchdog expands inquiry
The watchdog said it had widened the scope of its investigation after discussions with Nowak’s family, who lodged formal complaints about the force’s actions.The inquiry will assess decisions made by officers at the scene, including the use of handcuffs, the first aid provided, and the handling of emergency calls by Hampshire Constabulary control room staff. Investigators will also review information passed to attending officers and ambulance personnel.
Role of race and religion under scrutiny
The IOPC said it is examining whether the race or religion of either Nowak or the family of his killer, Vickrum Digwa, influenced police actions or decision-making.Investigators will also consider whether assumptions about community tensions in Southampton at the time affected officers’ responses. The city had witnessed anti-immigration protests and counter-demonstrations in the months leading up to the incident.Complaints from Nowak’s family regarding differences in how police treated him compared with Digwa and members of Digwa’s family after their arrests will also form part of the inquiry.
Killer jailed for life
Digwa was convicted of murdering Nowak and sentenced to life imprisonment in June, with a minimum term of 21 years. During the investigation, Digwa falsely claimed he had been the victim of a racist attack and initially misled officers at the scene.In a statement read outside court after the sentencing, Nowak’s father, Mark Nowak, described his son’s treatment by police as “inhumane and degrading” and contrasted it with what he called the “decency” shown to his son’s killer.He alleged that Digwa was believed by officers, was never handcuffed during his arrest or transport, and was even allowed to choose his food while in police custody.
Protests and further proceedings
The case sparked protests in Southampton after police bodycam footage showing officers’ interaction with Nowak while he lay dying was released publicly. Twelve police officers and a police dog were injured during the unrest.Following the disturbances, leaders of Southampton’s Sikh community called for calm and condemned Digwa’s actions. The Council of Southampton Gurdwaras said violence should not be tolerated under any circumstances.Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Office has referred Digwa’s sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. A full inquest into Nowak’s death is scheduled to take place in Winchester next year.The IOPC said its provisional findings will be shared with both Nowak’s family and Hampshire Constabulary before any final decisions are made.
