An officer involved in the Henry Nowak case has resigned, Hampshire Police say, after Sir Keir Starmer said he “felt sick” watching footage of police handcuffing the student as he lay dying.
The force said one of the officers had quit but three were still serving.
The prime minister said a full investigation was needed into how “accusations of racism” informed the police’s decision-making.
Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years for murdering the 18-year-old in Southampton.
Footage shows that Mr Nowak, 18, was handcuffed while he lay dying after Digwa told officers he had racially abused him. He is heard saying: “I’ve been stabbed,” to which an officer replies: “Don’t think you have, mate.”
Sir Keir said the footage was “harrowing”, adding: “As a father of a 17-year-old boy, I felt sick watching it.”
Demonstrators later clashed with riot police, pelting them with burning bins, as well as bottles, stones and flares near the area where Mr Nowak lived, as a protest turned violent.
Thousands of people had gathered outside Southampton police station, accusing police of racism.
Home Secretary condemned the clashes between protesters and police
The Home Secretary has condemned the clashes between protesters and police in Southampton following the murder of Henry Nowak.
Shabana Mahmood said: “The scenes this evening in Portswood are completely unacceptable.
“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.
“I thank the police who have tonight shown great bravery and calm in the face of disgraceful violence directed at them.”
Rebecca Whittaker3 June 2026 00:00
Watch: Police officer received death threats over Henry Nowak murder, Mahmood says
Rebecca Whittaker2 June 2026 23:00
Mahmood condemns ‘disgraceful’ scenes of violence in Southampton
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has condemned violent scenes in Southampton tonight, where protesters clashed with police.
She said: “The scenes this evening in Portswood are completely unacceptable.
“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.
“I thank the police who have tonight shown great bravery and calm in the face of disgraceful violence directed at them.”
Jane Dalton2 June 2026 22:10
Thugs hurl burning bins at police
Protesters have set commercial bins alight and are rolling them at speed towards officers.
The Daily Echo reports that one large bin broke through the police barricade and was burning behind officers.
Jane Dalton2 June 2026 21:54
Mob throws wheelie bins at police
Thugs have started throwing wheelie bins at riot police in St Denys Road, near Portswood Police Station.
Jane Dalton2 June 2026 21:40
Police charge after being pelted with stones
A police helicopter hovered overhead as officers were pelted with stones on a residential street in the St Denys area of Southampton before they charged with clear shields in an attempt to push the crowd back.
Demonstrators chanted “Henry, Henry” as the line of police were pelted with bricks and forced to retreat again.
Jane Dalton2 June 2026 21:13
Attacks force police back from line
Police officers appeared to retreat after being pelted with missiles close to where Henry Nowak was stabbed to death in St Denys.
Chairs, cans and flares were thrown at police in riot gear, eventually forcing officers and three police vans back from the line they had been holding.
Jane Dalton2 June 2026 20:47
Police in riot gear appear to retreat
Police in riot gear appeared to retreat from protesters.
Jane Dalton2 June 2026 20:38
Protesters descend on scene of murder
A group of young protesters have surged into the patio area of a building in Belmont Road, where it’s believed Henry Nowak was murdered, The Southampton Times reports.
Jane Dalton2 June 2026 20:36
Missiles thrown at police
Glass bottles and other objects are being thrown at police officers at Portswood police station in Southampton, after a unit of riot of police confronted the demonstrators, according to The Daily Echo.
One onlooker said a chair was thrown at police.
Jane Dalton2 June 2026 20:31
