A police officer involved in the Henry Nowak case has resigned following public outrage over bodycam footage showing the stabbed teenager being handcuffed as he lay dying. The 18-year-old student was fatally stabbed by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa in Southampton on 3 December 2025. Digwa was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years.
Officer Resigns Amid Investigation
A Hampshire Police spokesperson confirmed today that one of the officers connected to the case had stepped down. The statement read: "Three of the officers are still serving, one officer has resigned. As the IOPC has confirmed, they are all being treated as witnesses, so not subject to any current restrictions." The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is expected to publish its findings within three months, reviewing body-worn video footage and trial material.
Distressing Bodycam Footage
In the footage, Mr Nowak can be heard repeatedly saying: "I've been stabbed," to which an officer replies: "Don't think you have, mate." Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he "felt sick" watching the footage and stated there are "serious questions" about how "accusations of racism" influenced officers' decisions during the incident.
Killer's Sentence and Family Response
Digwa used a ceremonial knife with a 21cm blade, described in court as a "Sikh dagger," to stab Mr Nowak. He lied to police, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged against using the murder to divide communities. Mr Nowak's father, Mark Nowak, said: "We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension."
