Inspection launched into police force after Henry Nowak murder

An inspection has been launched into a police’s ability to respond to incidents of serious violence following the murder of student Henry Nowak.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years at Southampton Crown Court in June for the murder of the 18-year-old finance student on December 3 2025.

The case sparked protests and violence after a three-minute police body-worn video was released showing Nowak, from Chafford Hundred, Essex, being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died.

Now His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service has begun its inspection of Hampshire police following a request by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones.

The commissioner said that the inspection would cover the “end-to-end process” from call-handling in the control room, dispatch and initial attendance at incidents of serious violence.

She also said it would assess “decision-making and risk assessment training, specifically how the organisation supports officers and staff to make sound, impartial judgments free from bias, and where immediate action including first aid is required”.

Ms Jones said: “The public must have confidence that police officers receive the right information, the right training and the right support to make critical decisions.

“This inspection will provide an independent assessment of the force’s training, processes and culture including the handling of allegations of racially aggravated assault.

“Henry’s family deserve answers, and the public deserve reassurance that their police service is equipped to recognise victims and provide the highest standard of care when it matters most.”

The PCC added that the inspection would not examine the actions of officers on the night of Mr Nowak’s death so that it did not interfere with judicial and conduct probes into the incident.

In July, it emerged that two Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary police officers involved in the arrest of Mr Nowak were being investigated for potential gross misconduct.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said: “The evidence indicates that both officers – who were the first to arrive at the scene – may have potentially breached the professional behaviour standards of duties and responsibilities, use of force, and discreditable conduct.”

According to the watchdog, the breaches relate to potential failures to recognise that Nowak needed urgent medical attention, to immediately act after he said he had been stabbed and he couldn’t breathe, and the decision to arrest and handcuff Nowak rather than provide immediate first aid.

One of the officers may have also breached standards relating to authority, respect and courtesy when appearing to dismiss Nowak repeatedly saying he had been stabbed.