Henri Novak and Vikrum Degua
Two police officers at Hampshire Police are being investigated for possible gross misconduct over their handling of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed and arrested while suffering fatal stab wounds after being attacked by Sikh man Vikram Singh Dhigwa in Southampton in December 2025.Degua was later convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. According to a report by the BBC, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said evidence suggested that officers who first arrived at the scene may have breached professional standards by failing to recognize that Nowak required urgent medical treatment and choosing to arrest and handcuff him rather than provide immediate first aid.
The investigation focuses on the decision to arrest and the medical response
The agency said its investigation will examine whether officers failed to respond appropriately after Nowak repeatedly stated he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe. One officer is also being investigated over concerns he appeared to dismiss the teenager’s claim that he had been attacked.Investigators recently met with Nowak’s family after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings and reviewed evidence collected during the investigation, said Derek Campbell, IOPC’s director of engagement.
“As a result, two officers will now face investigations for serious misconduct,” Campbell said, adding that public confidence in the police may have been severely damaged by the incident.The IOPC stressed that the issuance of serious misconduct notices does not automatically mean that disciplinary action will follow. A final decision will be made once the investigation is completed.
The IEA expands the investigation
The watchdog said it had expanded the scope of its investigation after discussions with Nowak’s family, which had lodged formal complaints about the force’s actions.The investigation will assess decisions made by officers at the scene, including the use of handcuffs, first aid provided, and the handling of emergency calls by Hampshire Police control room staff. Investigators will also review information sent to officers and ambulance personnel.
The role of race and religion under the microscope
The IOPC said it was examining whether the race or religion of Novak or the family of his killer, Vikram Dhigoa, influenced police actions or decision-making.Investigators will also look into whether assumptions about community tensions in Southampton at the time influenced officers’ responses. The city saw anti-immigration protests and counter-demonstrations in the months leading up to the incident.Complaints from Nowak’s family about differences in how police treated him compared to DeGoa and DeGoa’s family members after their arrest will also form part of the investigation.
The killer is imprisoned for life
Degoa was convicted of Novak’s murder and was sentenced to life in prison in June, with a minimum of 21 years. During the investigation, Degoa falsely claimed he was the victim of a racist attack and initially misled officers at the scene.In a statement read outside court after the sentencing, Nowak’s father, Mark Nowak, called the police’s treatment of his son “inhumane and degrading” and compared it to what he called the “decency” shown by his son’s killer.He claimed that the officers believed Degoa, and he was never handcuffed during his arrest or transfer, and was even allowed to choose his own food while in police custody.
Protests and other actions
The case sparked protests in Southampton after police body camera footage showing officers interacting with Nowak as he lay dying was made public. 12 police officers and a police dog were injured during the unrest.In the wake of the unrest, leaders of Southampton’s Sikh community called for calm and condemned Degoa’s actions.
Southampton Gurdwaras said violence should not be tolerated under any circumstances.At the same time, the Public Prosecutor’s Office referred Degua’s sentence to the Court of Appeal under the unjustified sanctions regime. A full inquest into Novak’s death is scheduled to be held in Winchester next year.The IOPC said its interim findings would be shared with Nowak’s family and Hampshire Police before any final decisions are made.
