Two arrests as 11 officers hurt in Nowak protests

Two people have been arrested and 11 officers and one police dog were injured after protesters clashed with police near where 18‑year‑old Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed.

The tensions prompted Labour MP Darren Paffey, who represents Southampton Itchen, to appeal for calm, adding that "whipping up violence" had no place in the city.

Protesters pelted police with missiles in clashes on Tuesday evening near the home of Nowak's killer, Vickrum Digwa, in the Portswood area. The 23-year-old was jailed for life with a minimum 21-year term on Monday.

A crowd initially took part in a demonstration outside the city centre police station before gathering close to the family home.

Chief Constable Alexis Boon said: "We understand and appreciate as police officers that we are accountable for our actions.

"What we ask, however, is that those actions are judged through fair and transparent processes. In this case, that process is already under way with the IOPC conducting their independent investigation.

"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. We saw bottles thrown, makeshift weapons used, damage caused to the homes and vehicles of innocent residents and threats and violence directed towards our officers."

Boon said he expected the number of arrests to rise as investigations continue and that residents would see more officers patrolling the area in the coming days, with specialist teams supporting them.

Paffey referred to a statement given by Nowak's family on the steps of Southampton Crown Court.

"Henry's dad said they don't want his death to create further division, hatred or tension... and yet what we saw last night is entirely the opposite of that," the MP said.

He added: "Hordes of people came from outside the city. There were people saying they had travelled four hours to come and make their voices heard.

"People in their homes last night would have been really disturbed to see what was going on outside them."

Satvir Kaur, the Labour MP for Southampton Test, said: "At a time when a family and community are in mourning, we should be coming together not stoking division and pitting communities against each other."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also condemned the "unacceptable" violence against officers at the protest.

Digwa stabbed Nowak, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, as he walked back to his student accommodation in December 2025.

The clashes with police come amid tensions and scrutiny over how officers dealt with the incident, which included arresting and handcuffing Nowak as he lay dying.

Chairs, cans and flares were thrown at officers in riot gear, forcing them to retreat.

During the initial protest at the police station, political activist Tommy Robinson spoke to the crowd.

Digwa stabbed Nowak with a large blade he claimed to carry for religious reasons, before lying to police at the scene and falsely claiming he had been the victim of a racist attack - leading officers to arrest Nowak rather than his killer.

Bodycam footage released this week showed Nowak repeatedly telling officers he had been stabbed as he lay dying in handcuffs.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the force's response.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there were "serious questions for police" following the release of the footage.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed that one of the officers involved in the case has resigned, while the other three are still serving. All of them are being treated as witnesses.

Earlier on Tuesday, the force said an officer not connected to the case has faced death threats after being misidentified in online posts.

In a post on X, the force said: "We recognise the desire for answers about the police response that night" and warned people not to indulge in "harmful online speculation".

The police watchdog is expected to report on the case within the next three months.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said investigators are examining a large amount of body-worn video as well as material presented during Digwa's trial.

A statement issued by Digwa's family apologised "for the pain and suffering the Nowak family has had to endure" and for bringing the Sikh community into "disrepute".