Demonstrators chant ‘I can’t breathe’ at Hampshire police and start fires amid exploding fury over bodycam showing white murder victim Henry Nowak’s life ebbing away as officers blindly swallow Sikh killer’s race lies: Home Secretary appeals for calm
Protesters clashed with riot police and chanted ‘I can’t breathe’ last night as more than 1,000 took to the streets over the arrest of murdered teenager Henry Nowak.
Demonstrators descended on Southampton Central Police Station just before 6pm holding Union flags and banners that read ‘save our kids’, while others threw wheelie bins, flares and beer cans at officers.
The chaotic scenes came a day after police bodycam footage of innocent Mr Nowak, 18, being arrested as he repeatedly told them: ‘I can’t breathe.’
The student had been stabbed six times by ‘knife-obsessed’ Sikh stranger, Vickrum Digwa.
The killer, 23, did not know Mr Nowak before attacking him but lied to the first officers on the scene, claiming the teenager had shouted racist abuse, punched him and knocked off his turban.
The injured student was then arrested as he lay dying on the ground, drowning in his own blood. He pleaded with police to call an ambulance before being ordered to place his hands in the cuffs, his body faced down on the driveway.
The teen told them four times, ‘I’ve been stabbed’, to which one male officer replied, ‘I don’t think you have mate’. He died shortly afterwards.
Footage of the arrest, released on Monday night, sparked furious backlash across the country, with huge crowds of protesters gathered in Southampton on Tuesday evening, many violently clashing with riot police.
Kemi Badenoch last night said the murder of Mr Nowak was a ‘seminal moment’ in the fight against racism. The Tory leader compared the stabbing of the 18-year-old university student to the murder of Stephen Lawrence 33 years ago.
Writing for this newspaper, Mrs Badenoch says, just like Stephen’s shocking killing in 1993, Henry’s death at the hands of an assailant who lied about claims of racism needs to be a turning point.
Hundreds gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station on Tuesday where activist Tommy Robinson and Laurence Fox were among those who spoke to the crowd
Demonstrators chanted ‘Henry, Henry’ as the line of police were pelted with bricks
The clashes with police come amid growing tensions and scrutiny over how officers dealt with the incident which included arresting and handcuffing Mr Nowak as he lay dying
Protesters and police were injured in the night of bloody and violent clashes
One incident appeared to show protesters lighting a fire in a wheelie bin in front of officers
A man throws a wheelie bin as people confront riot police near the location where Henry Nowak died in Southampton
Police bodycam footage shows innocent victim Henry Nowak, 18, being forced into handcuffs by officers after he was stabbed repeatedly by a knife-obsessed Sikh man
Vickrum Digwa (pictured) is seen lying to police as he tells them Mr Nowak ripped off his turban in a racist attack. He also points to his eye, claiming it has been injured by the teen
Mr Nowak (pictured) was a finance student at the University of Southampton and was described as ‘kind and talented’ by his family
Demonstrators hurled flares at riot officers on Tuesday night
Furious clashes broke out as more than 1,000 protesters took to the streets last night
Crowds gathered to hold a minute’s silence for Henry, before shouts of ‘shame on you’ were heard
The violent protest came hours after a police officer involved in Mr Nowak’s arrest resigned
Policing minister Sarah Jones said today that two people were arrested after the unrest in Southampton last night.
She urged people not to ‘overreact’ following the murder of the student, telling Times Radio: ‘Some of what we saw yesterday was unacceptable.
‘There have been two arrests, as I understand it from my briefing this morning, one for assault of a police officer, one for possession of a weapon.
‘We can’t allow – and the family said this, and we have to take our lead from them, and they have acted with such dignity, it’s quite extraordinary and I think most of us feel that we couldn’t possibly do that if we were in that situation – but they have said we do not want to create further division, hatred, or tension, and I think we need to respect that.’
Ms Jones also encouraged people with understandable anger about the case to ‘allow justice to do its course’, adding: ‘Firstly, everyone must be equal under the law and we must ensure that is the case.
‘Secondly, we can’t shy away from what are historic and legitimate concerns about racism within police forces. We have seen that in multiple ways over many years and we should not shy away from that.
‘And that is why there is a race action plan that was introduced under the last government to make sure training and support to officers is what it should be.
‘I think, personally, that if you look at the thousands of incidents every day where the police respond to 100,000 999 calls, that in the vast majority of cases the police get this balance right.
‘But it is, it is also right that wherever mistakes are made, we shine a light on those, we learn lessons from those and we take it forward.’
She added: ‘We are urging that people take the anger that they feel, which I understand, but let’s allow justice to do its course, and let’s not over-react, which indeed is what the family are asking us to do as well.’
Parm Sandhu, director of the London Policing who was the first and only Asian chief superintendent in the Metropolitan Police, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning: ‘Policing has become very politicalised and I think politicians need to step away and let the police deal with this.’
She added that politicians were ‘just coming out with all these comments that are inflaming the situation’.
Answering questions on two-tier justice and whether white people were discriminated against by police, Ms Sandhu said: ‘I do not accept that at all.
‘Police officers do not go to work and think if I see a black person, a white person, I am going to treat them differently. They go to work and they deal with emergency situations where they have to make fast timed decisions, where it is life or death.
‘In this case obviously they have made a tragic mistake that has ended up in the loss of a life. They do not base those on the skin colour of the individuals in front of them.’
Questioned on what the police guidance on racism gets right and wrong, Ms Sandhu said: ‘The guidance on racism is more about teaching people to understand different cultures. It doesn’t say you treat people differently.
‘It says take into account different cultures because if you’re dealing with somebody who is deaf, blind, because it doesn’t cater to skin colour. If you are dealing with someone who is deaf or blind.’
She added: ‘I do not accept that there is two-tier policing in this country. I do not accept that police officers go to work thinking I am going to watch a young person bleed out.’ ‘
And speaking about calls for Britain end the religious exemption for carrying a blade, she said: ‘You should not say that all Sikhs shouldn’t carry the kirpan because of what this individual has done in this case. And he did not use the kirpan.’
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood branded Tuesday’s scenes ‘completely unacceptable’, writing on social media: ‘The Nowak family made a powerful call to us all yesterday to not let Henry’s death be used to create further division, hatred or tension.
‘There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder. Those responsible can expect to face the full force of the law.’
She added: ‘I thank the police who have tonight shown great bravery and calm in the face of disgraceful violence directed at them.’
The violent protest came hours after a police officer involved in Mr Nowak’s arrest resigned, Hampshire Police confirmed.
Three of the officers involved are still serving, the force added, while all four are being treated as witnesses in an investigation by the police watchdog.
Earlier, a different officer received death threats and was ‘forced to relocate’ after being wrongly identified online as being involved in the case, Ms Mahmood said.
The officer had to relocate for the safety and security of his family, the Home Secretary told the House of Commons.
Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years on Monday for stabbing Mr Nowak six times with a religious blade he was carrying.
A day later, demonstrators arrived in Southampton holding pictures and banners, with clips shared online showing crowds carrying Union Jacks descending upon the police station just before 6pm.
A large police presence was put in place outside the station, with officers forming a blockade.
In a video posted on social media, far-Right activist Tommy Robinson described the footage of Mr Nowak’s arrest as ‘horrific’ while calling on supporters to attend the protest.
Robinson, Right-wing commentator Laurence Fox, and UKIP leader Nick Tenconi were among those who stood at the steps of Southampton station as speeches were delivered to the crowd.
The Lord’s prayer was said twice, while Robinson argued ‘white people are treated like second-rate citizens’ in his speech.
In one chant, hundreds of people shouted ‘I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe’ in reference to what Mr Nowak told police as he lay dying on the ground.
Addressing the crowd, UKIP leader Tenconi said: ‘Hampshire police must sack and arrest the arresting officers.
‘They must publicly take the knee for Henry Nowak.’
Fire at the scene as police officers clash with protesters in Southampton on Tuesday night
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the killing of Henry Nowak a ‘seminal moment for Britain’ on par with the murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence in 1993. Pictured, crowds taking to the streets of Southampton last night
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) announced it would review anti-racism guidance
Violent scenes broke out after a large group walked across town to the area of Portswood
Protesters pelted police with missiles in clashes close to where Henry Nowak was stabbed to death
Hundreds gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station
A police helicopter hovered overhead as officers were pelted with stones
Demonstrators chanted ‘Henry, Henry’ as the line of police were pelted with bricks
Chairs, cans and flares were thrown at police in riot gear
Violent scenes broke out after a large group walked across to the area of Portswood
A protester throws a bin at police during violent clashes between demonstrators and officers
A protester throws an object in the air during the demonstration on Tuesday evening
Protesters confront riot police near the location where Mr Nowak died last December
Police dog handlers stand with a dog behind the police line near Portswood Police Station
People protest near Southampton Central Police Station on Tuesday evening after Digwa’s sentencing on Monday
Some carried banners reading ‘Save our kids’ while others paraded Union Jacks with the words ‘Unite the Kingdom’
An image issued by the Crown Prosecution Service shows the eight-inch ceremonial dagger used by Digwa
Digwa’s father Moga Singh (left) attempted to hide his face as he appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday alongside his son Gurpreet Digwa (right)
Sikh man Kulwinder Singh, a 47-year-old taxi driver from Southampton, welcomed the protest and those who were marching.
He said: ‘I’m part of the Sikh faith so I welcome them. They are my brothers and sisters. I’m not worried at all, they’re welcome at the Gurdwara [Sikh temple].
‘It’s nothing to do with the faith. We should keep people together.’ Mr Singh shook hands with protesters as they marched.
Jamie Smith, from Southampton, said: ‘I am here for Henry.
‘I saw the video online when he was handcuffed and dragged on the floor after being stabbed and I want the police to be held accountable.’
At nearby Portswood Police Station, people were seen throwing glass bottles at police cars.
Later on Tuesday evening, protesters chased riot squad police officers and launched wheelie bins at them.
Around a dozen officers were verbally abused and pelted with objects including beer cans.
Protesters forced the blockade of officers back 20 metres as they charged at them.
One incident saw crowds hurl a flair at police before others stormed at them while shouting: ‘Justice for Henry.’
Activist Rebekah Warne said: ‘I’m here because I fear for the safety of my child.
‘He’s 10 and I worry for his future. He’ll be 20 in 10 years and he’ll have to defend himself.
‘The streets scare me now as a woman. I can protect myself but it scares me for my son. Something needs to change.’
Sir Keir Starmer said the footage of Mr Nowak’s arrest made him ‘feel sick’ as he warned officers have ‘serious questions’ to answer over their treatment of the teen – adding it is ‘absolutely right’ that the police watchdog is investigating how officers handled the case.
Earlier on Tuesday, while giving a statement in the House of Commons, Ms Mahmood warned of a ‘dangerous undercurrent’ of threats against the police.
She continued: ‘Threats against police officers are utterly unacceptable. There can be no justification for intimidation, abuse or attempts to take the law into one’s own hands.
‘A police officer unrelated to this case has been misidentified online and subjected to death threats. He has been forced to relocate to protect himself and his family.
‘Misinformation and inflammatory commentary is making a dreadful situation even worse. We must all, together, condemn it.’
She added that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will report on the case within three months.
In a statement on Tuesday, Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘We know there has been significant commentary following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa yesterday afternoon, and we recognise the desire for answers about the police response that night.
‘However, what we cannot accept is the significant spread of misinformation online by those intent of causing further fear and division by making threats to officers and sharing names that are simply not true.’
Protesters are pictured outside Southampton Police Station at 6pm on Tuesday
Demonstrators later began a march through the centre of Southampton while chanting ‘I can’t breathe’
Footage appeared to show crowds trying to storm the station as officers formed a blockade outside
Hampshire Police Federation also called for an end to ‘mob or vigilante justice against officers’ amid backlash over the case.
Footage released on Monday night shows officers pulling Mr Nowak along the ground as he begs for help, telling them he cannot breathe at least seven times before he is put in handcuffs.
The student died from drowning in his own blood shortly after his wrongful arrest, Southampton Crown Court heard.
Following the case, the UK Sikh Federation stressed the blade was not consistent with the Kirpan, a small, curved blade which many Sikhs wear close to their person. While it is legal for them to carry the weapon for religious reasons, it is deemed an offensive weapon if it is drawn in an act of aggression.
Judge William Mousley KC said he was ‘sure’ Mr Nowak never said anything racist to the murderer.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Mr Nowak was ‘treated in a way that meant an accusation of a racial slur was treated more seriously than an act of murder’.
He said the last thing Mr Nowak heard on this Earth was being read his rights by officers as he lay dying on a pavement in handcuffs.
Mr Farage called for ‘pure cold rage’ over the case, which has been widely criticised after he claimed it suggests a ‘two tier’ approach to policing in the UK.
Mr Nowak’s father Mark, speaking after Digwa was sentenced on Monday, said: ‘We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.’
Earlier, a spokesman for Hampshire Police Federation said: ‘The murder of Henry Nowak was a tragedy, our thoughts are with his family and friends.
‘The officers’ actions that night are subject to rigorous independent scrutiny and we must let that process run its course.
‘The Police Federation condemns in the strongest possible terms the calls for mob or vigilante justice against officers we have seen in recent days.
‘That has included police officers being wrongly identified as being involved in the incident and personal details such as home address being widely published.
‘We call on politicians of all parties and media commentators to be more responsible in their comments – and allow due process for the officers involved to ensue.
Digwa (pictured) lied to police at the scene, telling officers Mr Nowak had not been stabbed and had instead attack him
‘As a staff association we are supporting all Hampshire Police officers and we urge all our members to take appropriate action online and offline to stay safe.’
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has apologised for arresting Mr Nowak minutes before his death.
It comes after Sir Keir told the Cabinet that an investigation into the police response must be carried out ‘as quickly as possible’.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said he paid tribute to ‘kind, thoughtful and much-loved’ Mr Nowak, whose life was ‘ripped away in the most appalling circumstances’.
IOPC Director Derrick Campbell said on Tuesday: ‘Our thoughts and sympathies remain with everyone affected by Henry Nowak’s tragic death.
‘Our independent investigation into the contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight officers had with Mr Nowak immediately prior to his death on 4 December, including the use of handcuffs by officers and the first aid provided, remains ongoing.
‘Our investigation began following a mandatory referral from the force, which we received the same day.
‘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.
‘The officers involved are currently being treated as witnesses, however as with all investigations, this is kept under review throughout.’
