Students react to 'scary' disorder at Henry Nowak protests

Violence erupted on the streets of Southampton on Tuesday evening, amid protests near the site of the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.

Dozens of missiles and projectiles were launched towards police officers dressed in riot gear during the violence, leaving 11 officers and a dog injured.

University students living in the area have told the BBC that they feel "unsafe", "scared" and "upset" following the disorder.

Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years for murder on Monday, after which Nowak's father, Mark, appealed for calm, saying his family did not want his death "used to create further division, hatred or tension".

Tuesday's violence came after bodycam footage was released showing Nowak repeatedly telling officers "I can't breathe" as he lay dying in handcuffs late on 3 December.

The city is home to more than 35,000 students. Nowak, from Chafford Hundred, Essex, was a first year student at the University of Southampton.

Nicole, who is also student at the university, said: "I think everyone feels scared and uncomfortable."

She added that she was "definitely more safety conscious" than she was previously following the disorder on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, fellow student Eddie said one of his housemates works in a pub which had to close early on Tuesday due to the unrest.

"There were people up on the tables. Someone burned a swastika into the ceiling," he said.

"I wouldn't say I feel unsafe, I feel fine, but I think people of certain races would feel unsafe and that's unfortunate."

Yuvraj, who is a Sikh, said the area where Nowak was murdered in Portswood is "where everyone walks after every night out"

"It could have happened to anyone," he said.

"I think everyone is feeling a bit unsafe - now you don't have to look out for criminals, you have to look out for protesters as well when you're walking down the road."

He said the murder has been a "big hit for our community".

Last week Dabinderjit Singh, a leading figure in the UK Sikh federation, told the BBC that the community has been "demonised" and claimed the Sikh community had seen a "huge increase in hate crime" since the trial.

Megan, a criminology student, said the murder of Nowak was "really sad", adding "I don't like the protests, I think it makes an unsafe environment".

"I think now is not really the time for divisiveness – I think it's about how coming together and seeing how we can resolve the situation. It's not the time for hate."