"Henry Nowak’s life was cut short in a horrific and senseless act"
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced an independent review into the murder of 18-year-old finance student Henry Nowak, following widespread public anger over the police response to his stabbing.
The review will be led by former lord chancellor Alex Chalk KC and examine what was known about the perpetrator, including whether there were missed opportunities to intervene before the killing.
Vickrum Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years at Southampton Crown Court in June for murdering Mr Nowak on December 3, 2025.
The case sparked protests and violence following the release of three minutes of police body-worn camera footage showing Mr Nowak being placed in handcuffs shortly before he lost consciousness and died.
Mr Nowak was handcuffed as he lay dying after Digwa, who is Sikh, falsely accused him of racial abuse.
In the footage, Mr Nowak can be heard repeatedly telling officers: “I’ve been stabbed”, to which one officer responds: “Don’t think you have, mate.”
Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Mahmood announced the independent review and paid tribute to Mr Nowak’s family.
She said: “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.
“Today, I can announce an independent review led by a former lord chancellor, the Right Honourable Alex Chalk KC.
“It will investigate what was known about the perpetrator, including any missed opportunities to intervene; it will look at the Nowak family’s experience of the criminal justice system and whether they were supported in the manner they should have been.
“Once the Independent Office for Police Conduct has concluded its investigation into the police response, this review will also consider the actions of the IOPC and, if necessary, the police.”
Ms Mahmood confirmed that the full terms of reference for the review were published on Monday, with an initial report expected to be submitted to her within five months.
She added: “We must get to the truth of what happened before, during, and after that awful night, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that no family suffers the same fate.
“We owe that to Henry and to all who loved him, they deserve answers, and this review will provide them.”
Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, was also jailed for three years for assisting an offender after removing the knife used by her son.
Henry Nowak’s family said the review marks a “significant moment” in their “fight for justice”, adding that they hope it will “finally uncover the full truth” about the circumstances around their son’s murder.
