Two Hampshire police officers are under investigation for potential gross misconduct after they handcuffed murdered student Henry Nowak in his final moments, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed. The officers are also being probed over their alleged failure to recognise that the 18-year-old University of Southampton student needed urgent medical attention after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa.
Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years for Henry's murder, a sentence later referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Scheme. After stabbing Henry, Digwa falsely claimed he was the victim, alleging Henry had called him a racial slur and knocked his turban off.
Bodycam Footage Reveals Pleas for Help
Harrowing bodycam footage captured the moment Henry appealed to officers for help as they arrested him. Henry can be heard repeatedly saying: 'I've been stabbed,' and 'I can't breathe.' In response, an officer is heard saying: 'You've been stabbed? Whereabouts? I don't think you have, mate.' The IOPC stated there is an indication one officer may have breached the standard relating to authority, respect and courtesy for appearing to dismiss Henry's claim of being stabbed.
Digwa was also filmed by his victim, telling him: 'I am a bad man' just moments before the knife attack. Henry suffered two stab wounds to the back of his legs and a fatal wound to his heart. He was pronounced dead at the scene on December 4, 2025.
Police Apology and Community Reaction
Chief Constable Alexis Boon, head of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, previously apologised to Henry's family for his officers' actions. 'I want to say to [Henry's] family, we understand, we get it, we know why they are so distraught and upset, which is why we made the apologies,' he said. 'It is a tragedy from start to finish and I'm really pleased to see that the killer was sentenced to life imprisonment. Our officers conducted an investigation that resulted in that. I'm hopeful that is some degree of comfort for the families, but they will, as they have been saying, be dealing with this for the rest of their lives.'
Riots erupted in Southampton following Digwa's sentencing, leading to multiple arrests. Protesters gathered outside Southampton Police Station before moving towards the killer's house. The case continues to draw widespread attention and scrutiny over police conduct.
