UK Police Review Anti-Racism Guidance After Henry Nowak Death, June 04

Police leaders said they will review anti-racism guidance following the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. Body-worn camera footage shows officers handcuffing Nowak at the scene while he repeatedly told them he had been stabbed and could not breathe. His killer, Vickrum Digwa, falsely claimed Nowak had racially abused him. The case has triggered accusations of unequal policing standards and violent protests in Southampton.

What Happened at the Scene

Nowak was stabbed five times by Digwa, 23, and tried to escape by climbing over a fence. Officers arrived and handcuffed Nowak as he lay dying. Body-worn camera footage shows Nowak telling police repeatedly: “I’ve been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe”. One officer responded: “You’ve been stabbed, whereabouts? Don’t think you have, mate.” Digwa lied to officers, claiming Nowak had racially abused him and knocked off his turban. Officers arrested Nowak instead of treating his injuries. Digwa was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum 21-year term on Monday.

The Two-Tier Policing Accusation

The case has sparked accusations that police applied different standards based on race. Critics point to a National Police Chiefs’ Council anti-racism commitment stating that racial equality “does not mean treating everyone ‘the same’ or being ‘colour blind'”. Police Minister Sarah Jones said the current guidance gives the “wrong impression”. The prime minister’s spokesperson backed a review, saying “we don’t think the language is right”. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the officers’ actions. One of four responding officers resigned last year, but not as a result of this incident. The three others remain serving.

Political Response and Protests

Violent protests erupted in Southampton on June 2, injuring 11 officers and one police dog. Daniel Frost, 44, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon after throwing dustbins and a chair at police. Matt Styler, 50, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer. Both men were remanded in custody. Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Nowak’s family and accused tech billionaire Elon Musk of “trying to whip up division” over the case. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also met the family and said they agreed on the need to “bring common sense back”.

Warnings Against Rushed Changes

Andy George, head of the National Black Police Association, warned police forces risk making “not well thought-out” changes to anti-racism guidance. He said the review was “reactive”. Former Home Secretary Jack Straw told the Telegraph there had been an “over-correction” within policing after the 1993 murder of Stephen Lawrence. The anti-racism guidance was introduced in 2025 in response to the 2022 policing race action plan. The Independent Office for Police Conduct director urged people to stop speculating about the circumstances until the investigation concludes.

Final Thoughts

Police are reviewing anti-racism guidance after officers handcuffed a dying teenager whose attacker falsely claimed racial abuse. The case has exposed tensions between racial equality policies and consistent policing standards, with officials warning against hasty policy changes.

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