Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed grave concerns regarding police conduct in the wake of the release of bodycam footage depicting the arrest of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old Southampton university student tragically killed earlier this month. The footage, which shows Nowak handcuffed and repeatedly stating “I can’t breathe” after being stabbed, raises critical questions about the police response to the incident. Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison for the murder, which has prompted significant public unrest and calls for a thorough investigation into the police’s handling of the situation.
Disturbing Footage Sparks Outrage
The bodycam footage, which has been partially muted by the BBC due to its distressing nature, captures a harrowing scene at the location of Nowak’s stabbing. Digwa, who claimed he had been the victim of a racist attack, misled officers at the scene, diverting attention from the urgent need to assist Nowak, who was grievously injured. The Prime Minister described the footage as “really harrowing,” adding that it left him feeling “sick.” He emphasised the necessity of addressing how allegations of racism influenced the police’s actions during the incident.
In response to the tragic event, hundreds of demonstr
