A Hampshire police officer has resigned following the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was stabbed to death in Southampton on December 3 2025. The resignation was confirmed by a force spokesperson, who stated that three other officers involved remain on duty and are being treated as witnesses by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Bodycam footage of the incident, which has sparked widespread outrage, shows Mr Nowak being handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa. In the footage, Mr Nowak can be heard repeatedly saying, 'I've been stabbed,' to which an officer replies, 'Don't think you have, mate.' Digwa, who falsely claimed he was the victim of a racist attack, was convicted of murder this week and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he 'felt sick' watching the footage and called for an examination of how 'accusations of racism' influenced police decision-making. The IOPC is expected to publish its findings within three months, scrutinising body-worn video and trial material. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons that the murder must not turn communities against one another.
Mr Nowak's father, Mark Nowak, urged that his son's death not be used to create further division. Digwa used a ceremonial Sikh dagger with a 21cm blade to commit the killing.
