Eleven police officers and a police dog were injured during violent disorder in Southampton, the chief constable of Hampshire police has said. Alexis Boon condemned those involved in Tuesday night's unrest, which saw protesters hurling bricks, bottles, and wheelie bins at officers, as being 'determined to spark fear and division'.
The trouble began after a peaceful gathering outside Southampton central police station, where hundreds marched to the neighbourhood where 18-year-old Henry Nowak was killed. Riot police prevented the crowd from reaching the home of Vickrum Digwa, who has been charged with Nowak's murder. Cars were smashed and bricks strewn across roads in the Portswood area.
Chief Constable Boon said: 'What we, as a society, cannot accept is the violent scenes we saw in Southampton last night. Some clearly arrived intent on causing disorder and trouble.' He pledged to bring those responsible to justice, noting that two arrests had been made. The Labour leader of Southampton city council, Sarah Bogle, said she believed many demonstrators had come from outside the city, adding: 'It's awful when these tragedies are weaponised by people who should know better.'
Residents described being terrified as the violence unfolded near their homes. Sophie Martin, a neighbour of the Digwa family, said both families' cars were destroyed. 'It was absolutely terrifying,' she said. 'Our two young boys were asleep. It is just an absolute destruction.' Local Labour representative John Savage called the violence 'absolutely outrageous' and said most demonstrators were from elsewhere, accusing them of being 'bussed in from other places to cause mayhem'.
The far-right activist Tommy Robinson addressed the crowd during the protest, which was billed as 'Justice for Henry Nowak'. Chants of 'Racist police, off our streets' and 'shame on you' were heard, alongside union flags. Police remain in the area to maintain order.
