Protests Erupt in UK Over Teenager's Murder, Clashes with Police

Protests have broken out in the UK over the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, with hundreds gathering in Southampton on Tuesday as anger spilled into violence.

Demonstrators chanted "Henry, Henry" as they hurled stones, bricks, and chairs and clashed with police officers.

It comes after the highly publicised trial of Vickrum Digwa, a 23-year-old Sikh man who was found guilty of Nowak's murder last month.

Nowak was repeatedly stabbed by Digwa as he made his way home from a night out with friends in December. Digwa, who was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years on Monday, falsely told police who attended the scene that he had been the victim of a racist attack.

Officers initially handcuffed and arrested Nowak as he lay dying, with bodycam footage of the incident showing Nowak telling police that he'd been stabbed and that he "can't breathe".

The force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as scrutiny over the arresting officers' actions builds. Far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowd at a rally in Southampton on Tuesday, telling them he wanted the officers involved to face prison time.

Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform party, has commended Nowak's family for their "extraordinarily dignified" response to his killing but called for others to respond with "pure cold rage".

"The biggest fear a police officer now has going about his or her duty on the street is the fear of being reported for having acted in a way that was racially biased," Farage said in a clip posted to social media.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised Farage's comments, saying he was attempting to "create division" against the wishes of Nowak's family.

In a post on X, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood wrote that Tuesday's violence was "completely unacceptable," adding that "there can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder".

Hampshire Police released a statement on Wednesday condemning the protest, which the force said had left 11 officers and one police dog injured.

"We understand and appreciate as police officers that we are accountable for our actions. What we ask, however, is that those actions are judged through fair and transparent processes," Chief Constable Alexis Boon said. "What we, as a society, cannot accept is the violent scenes we saw in Southampton last night".

Sikh community groups have called Nowak's killing a "moment of madness by an individual for which there can be no excuses".

But they said the wider Sikh community had "unacceptably faced considerable abuse and hate during the trial as many do not understand the law, the significance of the Kirpan or the responsibility associated with wearing a Kirpan".

A Kirpan is a small blade Sikhs wear as part of their religious uniform. Prosecutors say Digwa carried a standard Kirpan as well as a large dagger.

"We understand in this case the weapon that may have been used was not the normal Kirpan worn by fully practicing Sikhs," the Sikh community's joint statement said. "This nuance is critically important and may not have been explained or understood by those asked to give evidence in this case".