Sir Keir Starmer has stated he "felt sick" after watching body-worn video footage showing police handcuffing 18-year-old Henry Nowak as he lay dying from a fatal stabbing in Southampton in December 2025. The Prime Minister described the footage as "harrowing" and, as a father, expressed his profound distress at witnessing the incident.
Details of the Incident
The bodycam video captures Mr Nowak, who was told he was being arrested for assault, repeatedly saying "I've been stabbed" and "I can't breathe" while officers made him sit up and placed him in handcuffs. At one point, an officer is heard asking Mr Nowak about his stab wound before dismissively adding, "Don't think you have, mate." Mr Nowak was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who later claimed to police he had been the victim of a racist attack.
Prime Minister's Reaction
Speaking publicly on the matter, Starmer said the footage left him feeling physically unwell. He emphasised the need for a thorough investigation into the police's handling of the situation, noting that the actions shown in the video raise serious questions about the treatment of victims of violent crime. The Prime Minister also extended his condolences to Mr Nowak's family, acknowledging the immense pain they must be enduring.
The case has sparked widespread debate about police procedures when dealing with stabbing victims and the use of handcuffs on individuals who are clearly in medical distress. Campaigners have called for an urgent review of police training and protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
