Police watchdog investigators to meet family of murder victim Henry Nowak
There's outrage over his treatment by Hampshire Police officers as he lay dying
Last updated 2nd Jun 2026
Watchdog investigators will meet the family of murder victim Henry Nowak amid outrage over his treatment by police officers as he lay dying.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said investigators are examining a large amount of body-worn video as well as material presented during the trial of murderer Vickrum Digwa.
The harrowing case saw 18-year-old Mr Nowak handcuffed as he lay dying in Southampton, after his killer falsely accused him of being drunk and launching a racist attack.
Warning, the below footage contains upsetting scenes and some may find it distressing
Henry’s father Mark Nowak, speaking after Digwa was sentenced on Monday, said that officers involved in the case are still on duty, and one was allowed to resign before they had given a full account to the IOPC.
He said: “We believe the officers involved remain on duty although we understand some may since have resigned. One was allowed to leave the force before she had given an account to the Independent Office of Police Conduct of what happened that evening.”
Comparing the treatment of his son with that of his killer, he told journalists: “His murderer, however, 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.”
The IOPC confirmed that officers called to the murder scene are still being treated as witnesses at this stage.
Investigators plan to meet the Nowak family and will keep them updated about the investigation, the watchdog said.
IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: “We acknowledge that this case has raised questions about the actions of the attending officers and we are aware that a few minutes of police body-worn footage has been issued by the force following the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
“As part of our ongoing investigation we are reviewing a large amount of police body-worn footage, which we need to consider in context with other evidence we have obtained, including reviewing material presented during the murder trial, as we establish the full circumstances.
“Now that criminal proceedings have concluded, we are planning to meet with Mr Nowak’s family and provide them with updates about our investigation.”