Two arrests and calls for calm as Nowak protests erupt

Two people have been arrested after protesters clashed with police near the site where 18-year-old student Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed, the policing minister has said.

Following the tension, one of the city's MPs Darren Paffey, the Labour MP for Southampton Itchen said: "Whipping up violence has no place in Southampton. I really would appeal for calm again we need to stay united as a city."

Protesters pelted police with missiles in clashes on Tuesday evening near the home of Nowak's killer, Vickrum Digwa, in St Denys. The 23-year-old was jailed for life on Monday.

A crowd initially took part in a demonstration outside they city's police station before gathering close to the family home.

Paffey referred to a statement given by Nowak's family on the steps of Southampton Crown Court: "Henry's dad said they don't want his death to create further division, hatred or tension…and yet what we saw last night is entirely the opposite of that."

He added: "Hordes of people came from outside the city. There were people saying they had travelled four hours to come and make their voices heard.

"People in their homes last night would have been really disturbed to see what was going on outside them."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also condemned the "unacceptable" violence against officers at the protest.

Policing minister Sarah Jones told Times Radio: "There have been two arrests, as I understand it from my briefing this morning, one for assault of a police officer, one for possession of a weapon."

Digwa was given a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years in prison for stabbing Nowak, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, as he walked back to his student accommodation in December 2025.

The clashes with police come amid tensions and scrutiny over how officers dealt with the incident which included arresting and handcuffing Nowak as he lay dying.

Chairs, cans and flares were thrown at officers in riot gear, forcing them to retreat.

During the initial protest at the police station, political activist Tommy Robinson spoke to the crowd.

Digwa stabbed Nowak with a large blade he claimed to carry for religious reasons, before lying to police at the scene and falsely claiming he had been the victim of a racist attack - leading officers to arrest Nowak rather than his killer.

Bodycam footage released this week showed Nowak repeatedly telling officers he had been stabbed as he lay dying in handcuffs.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into the force's response.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there are "serious questions for police" following the release of the footage.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed that one of the officers involved in the case has resigned, while the other three are still serving. All of them are being treated as witnesses.

Earlier on Tuesday, the force said an officer not connected to the case has faced death threats after being misidentified in online posts.

In a post on X, the force said: "We recognise the desire for answers about the police response that night" and warned people not to indulge in "harmful online speculation".

The police watchdog is expected to report on the case within the next three months.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said investigators are examining a large amount of body-worn video as well as material presented during Digwa's trial.

A statement issued by Digwa's family apologised "for the pain and suffering the Nowak family has had to endure" and for bringing the Sikh community into "disrepute".