Henry Nowak: Police watchdog to investigate Hampshire officers who responded to murder

The police watchdog has placed two Hampshire officers under investigation for potential gross misconduct over the handcuffing of Henry Nowak, after he was stabbed by Vickrum Digwa.

The 18-year-old told officers he could not breathe and that he had been stabbed after being attacked in Southampton on December 3 last year, but officers from Hampshire Constabulary ignored his pleas and failed to realise he was mortally injured.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it had "assessed the evidence we have obtained and considered representations from Henry’s family, as we reviewed all aspects of the investigation."

The watchdog said evidence indicated that the officers " may have potentially breached the professional behaviour standards of duties and responsibilities, use of force, and discreditable conduct" when responding to the incident on 03rd December 2025.

"There’s also an indication one of the officers may have breached the standard relating to authority, respect and courtesy, for appearing to dismiss Henry saying he had been stabbed", the IOPC said.

The watchdog is also looking at whether race or religion played a part in the officers’ decision making.

Killer Vickrum Digwa lied to police that he had been the victim of a racist attack by Mr Nowak, when in fact he had fatally stabbed the 18-year-old.

IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell said: “We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to Henry’s family and friends.

“Our investigators met with Henry’s family earlier this month where we were able to discuss our investigation with them in depth, now that criminal proceedings have concluded.

“We are obliged to constantly review the evidence obtained throughout our investigations and assess any indications of potential misconduct for officers involved. As a result, two officers will now face gross misconduct investigations.

“There is clear evidence that public confidence in the force may have been seriously harmed by this incident, and that is a factor we must consider when assessing the evidence.

“The serving of gross misconduct notices does not necessarily mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow. At the end of our investigation, we will decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.”

Investigators from the IOPC are looking at whether the race or religion of Digwa, who is Sikh, or Mr Nowak impacted on the decisions made, and whether officers “were influenced by assumptions or prejudice relating to community tensions at the time”.

When Digwa was sentenced, Mr Nowak’s father Mark Nowak said the difference between the way the killer and his son were treated was “unbearable”.

He told journalists: “His murderer… was afforded decency. He was believed. He was not handcuffed when arrested. He was not handcuffed when transported to the police station. As far as we understand, he was never handcuffed at all.

“And, as Vickrum Digwa himself told the court, while under arrest for Henry’s murder, police even took him to the kitchen so he could choose his food.

“The contrast is unbearable.”

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