Home Secretary launches review of Henry Nowak murder

Home Secretary Shabina Mahmood said a review will be undertaken to assess whether any opportunities were missed to prevent the December murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton. The inquiry, led by former Conservative lord chancellor Alex Chalk KC, is expected to deliver initial findings within five months.

Nowak died after being handcuffed by police while bleeding from a stabbing; body-worn camera footage showed him repeatedly stating he had been stabbed and an officer responding, “Don’t think you have, mate.” The perpetrator, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.

“Last December, Henry Nowak’s life was cut short in a horrific and senseless act of violence. My thoughts today are with Henry’s family and his friends, who have shown extraordinary courage and dignity,” Mahmood said in the Commons.

The review will examine what was known about Digwa, including prior reports of threatening behaviour and an alleged incident involving an air-gun, as well as the Nowak family’s experience of the criminal-justice system. It will also consider the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s (IOPC) investigation into two officers who arrived first on the scene and are accused of potential gross misconduct for failing to provide urgent medical aid and arresting Nowak instead.

“Since Henry was murdered, we’ve fought tirelessly for answers to questions no family should ever have to ask. The emotional toll of that fight, on top of the unimaginable grief of losing Henry, has been immense,” the family said. “We hope this review, alongside the ongoing investigations and inquest, will finally uncover the full truth and deliver the accountability and meaningful change we have fought so hard for.”

Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, received a three-year sentence for assisting an offender after removing the knife used in the attack. The review aims to determine whether systemic failures contributed to the tragedy and to recommend reforms.