Nowak case officers face gross misconduct investigation

Two police officers are being investigated for potential gross misconduct following the case of Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed and arrested as he lay dying, the police watchdog has said.

Nowak, 18, was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa with a large blade in December 2025, which he said he carried on grounds of his Sikh faith. He then lied to police at the scene, falsely claiming he was the victim of a racist attack.

Digwa was jailed for life in June, with a minimum term of 21 years.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said evidence suggested the two officers who arrived first may have breached professional standards.

The IOPC said the investigation relates to potential failures by the officers to recognise Henry Nowak needed urgent medical help and the decision to arrest and handcuff him rather than provide first aid.

The watchdog added: "There's also an indication one of the officers may have breached the standard relating to authority, respect and courtesy, for appearing to dismiss Henry saying he had been stabbed."

It said Henry's family, who come from Chafford Hundred in Essex, had been told of its decision.

IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell said: "Our investigators met with Henry's family earlier this month where we were able to discuss our investigation with them in depth, now that criminal proceedings have concluded.

"Two officers will now face gross misconduct investigations. There is clear evidence that public confidence in the force may have been seriously harmed by this incident, and that is a factor we must consider when assessing the evidence.

"The serving of gross misconduct notices does not necessarily mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow.

"At the end of our investigation we will decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings."

The IOPC said it had expanded its independent investigation following recent discussions with Henry's family, who have made formal complaints about the force.

It added it was examining the actions of the officers at the scene, including the decision to arrest Henry and apply handcuffs along with the first aid provided, and the decisions and actions of HIOWC control room staff.

It said this included the handling of calls relating to the incident and information passed on to the attending officers and the ambulance service.

The IOPC said it was investigating whether the race or religion of either Henry or the Digwa family impacted on the actions and decision making of the officers.

It said it would also look at whether officers' decisions were influenced by assumptions or prejudice relating to community tensions at the time.

In the months before Nowak's death the nearby Highfield House Hotel in Portswood was the focus of of anti-immigration protests, with counter protests held by Stand Up To Racism.

Complaints made by Henry's family about differences in how Henry was treated by officers compared to how Digwa and his family members were treated upon their arrests, will also be examined.

In a statement read outside court in June, Henry's father Mark Nowak compared his son's "inhumane and degrading" treatment by police, to the "decency" officers showed his murderer.

Campbell added: "It is also an important part of our role to identify whether any changes are needed to national or force policies or procedures, to improve police practice.

The IOPC said it will share its provision findings with Henry's family and Hampshire police and their views will be considered before any final decisions are made.

Hampshire police has previously apologised to the Nowak family for the way Henry was treated by its officers.

The attorney general's office has referred Digwa's minimum 21-year life sentence to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentence (ULS) scheme and a full inquest into Henry Nowak's death is due to be held in Winchester next year.