Police Officers Face Gross Misconduct Investigation Over Treatment of Dying Teenager

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a gross misconduct investigation into two police officers following the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.

Nowak was fatally stabbed in December 2025 by Vickrum Digwa, who falsely claimed to police at the scene that he was the victim of a racist attack.

Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment in June 2026 with a minimum term of 21 years, though the Attorney General’s office has since referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal as "unduly lenient".

The IOPC investigation focuses on allegations that the first two officers to arrive at the scene failed to recognise that Nowak required urgent medical assistance. Instead of providing first aid, the officers handcuffed and arrested the dying teenager.

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Furthermore, investigators are examining indications that one officer breached professional standards regarding authority, respect and courtesy by allegedly dismissing Nowak's claim that he had been stabbed.

IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell confirmed that investigators have met with Nowak's family to discuss the investigation, noting that public confidence in the force may now have been:

"Seriously Harmed"

by the incident.

The watchdog’s probe has now been expanded to include:

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•  The decisions and actions of control room staff, specifically regarding the handling of emergency calls and the information provided to attending officers and the ambulance service.
•  Whether the race or religion of Nowak or the Digwa family influenced the officers' decision-making processes.
•  Whether assumptions or prejudices concerning community tensions—specifically anti-immigration protests near the Highfield House Hotel in Portswood—impacted police actions.
•  Formal complaints from the Nowak family regarding alleged disparities in how officers treated Nowak versus the treatment afforded to Digwa and his family during their arrests.

Hampshire police has previously issued an apology to the Nowak family for the treatment Henry received.

During a statement outside court in June, the victim's father, Mark Nowak, characterised his son's treatment by officers as:

"Inhumane and degrading"

while contrasting it with the "decency" shown to his son's murderer.

The IOPC stated that the serving of gross misconduct notices does not guarantee that disciplinary proceedings will follow, but that a final decision will be made upon the conclusion of the investigation.

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The case has been a flashpoint for local unrest; on June 2, protests occurred in Southampton following the release of bodycam footage depicting the officers' interactions with Nowak.

Demonstrations resulted in injuries to twelve police officers and one police dog. In the aftermath, the Council of Southampton Gurdwaras condemned Digwa's actions and urged the community to maintain "peace and harmony".

The IOPC intends to share its findings with the family and the police force for consideration before reaching any final determinations.