The murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak sparked violent clashes between protesters and police in Southampton on Tuesday night, leaving 11 officers and a police dog injured, as public anger intensified over the handling of the case by police.Two people have been arrested so far, with authorities warning that further arrests are likely as investigations continue, the BBC reported.Nowak, a British-Polish teenager from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was pursuing a degree in accountancy and finance at the University of Southampton. He had recently completed his first term before he was fatally stabbed.
Protests descend into violence
Hundreds of people gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station before moving towards the Portswood area, near the home of convicted killer Vickrum Digwa.The protest escalated into disorder as some protesters hurled bottles, cans, chairs, flares and other objects at riot police.Police said homes and vehicles belonging to local residents were damaged during the unrest. Officers in protective gear were at times forced to retreat as missiles were thrown at them.Bins and other projectiles have now been thrown at police officers policing the flash protest outside Southampton Central Police Station.Political activist Tommy Robinson addressed the crowd outside the police station earlier in the evening before tensions escalated.
Two arrested, more expected
Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones confirmed that two people had been arrested following the disturbances — one on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and another for possession of a weapon.She said police would review footage from drones, body-worn cameras and social media as part of ongoing investigations, suggesting additional arrests could follow.Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violence, while Jones stressed that although people have a right to protest, attacks on officers and public disorder were unacceptable.
Murder conviction sparks anger
The protests came a day after 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for murdering Nowak, a University of Southampton student from Chafford Hundred, Essex.The attack occurred on December 3, 2025, in Southampton’s Portswood area. Prosecutors said Digwa stabbed Nowak multiple times after a brief encounter on a pavement. The victim attempted to flee before collapsing from his injuries.Digwa claimed self-defence during his trial, alleging Nowak had racially abused and assaulted him. Jurors rejected his account and convicted him of murder and possession of a knife in public.His mother, Kiran Kaur, was also convicted of assisting an offender after removing the weapon from the scene.
Bodycam footage sparks public outcry
Public anger intensified after the release of police bodycam footage showing Nowak repeatedly telling officers that he had been stabbed while lying handcuffed on the ground.Digwa had falsely told officers that he was the victim of a racist attack, leading police to initially detain Nowak rather than his attacker.
Police chief appeals for calm
Hampshire Chief Constable Alexis Boon acknowledged public concerns over the case but condemned the violence witnessed during the protests.“We understand and appreciate as police officers that we are accountable for our actions,” Boon said, adding that accountability must be pursued through proper and transparent processes.He said officers had faced threats and violence during the unrest and confirmed that increased patrols would remain in place across Southampton in the coming days.
