Commissioner welcomes Home Office independent review into Henry Nowak murder

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has welcomed the Home Office’s decision to review the murder of 18-year student Henry Nowak.

Henry died after being fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton on 3 December 2025.

Hnrey was handcuffed by police as he lay dying after Digwa falsely accused him of racial abuse.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the review will look at missed opportunities to intervene and how the Nowak family were treated after Henry’s death.

The review will be in two parts. Phase one will investigate whether opportunities were missed to prevent Henry’s murder, examining what was known about the perpetrator, Vickrum Digwa, in the five years before the attack.

Phase one will also consider how the Nowak family were treated by agencies across the criminal justice system.

Phase two will follow once the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has concluded its investigation into the actions of police officers who attended the scene, and will consider the actions of the IOPC and, if necessary, the police.

PCC Donna Jones, said: “The awful circumstances surrounding the tragic murder of Henry Nowak rightly deserve further scrutiny.

“The Nowak family deserved to be treated with compassion, respect and dignity. It is right that the Home Office examines their experience of the criminal justice system, including whether the police, Crown Prosecution Service, courts and prison and probation services met their responsibilities.

“It is also right that relevant organisations which held information about Vickrum Digwa are fully examined.

“As Commissioner, I will ensure Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary cooperate fully with this review, and that the HMICFRS review I requested provides clarity on what requires urgent change. It is absolutely vital that Henry’s family receive answers to their questions as they continue to suffer the pain of his unimaginable loss.”