Police chief apologises to Henry Nowak's family over handcuffing and arrest

The chief constable of Hampshire police has issued a profound apology to the family of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student who was handcuffed and arrested as he lay dying. Chief Constable Alexis Boon expressed his distress, mirroring the shock felt by many upon viewing the bodycam footage.

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I'm so sorry you've had to go through this.

The video captured the harrowing moments where Nowak repeatedly informed officers that he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe. Despite his pleas, police proceeded to arrest him. This action occurred after the perpetrator, Vickrum Digwa, falsely accused Nowak of racial abuse.

"I'm so sorry you've had to go through this," Boon told the BBC, reiterating the force's apology for the manner of Nowak's handcuffing and arrest. Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years for the murder, which took place in December.

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He reiterated an apology on behalf of the force for the way in which Henry had been handcuffed and arrested.

Boon confirmed he has no intention of resigning over the incident and stated he would not preempt the findings of an Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation. He acknowledged the footage as an "absolute tragedy" and expressed deep sympathy for Nowak's family. "You can't help but be affected by it. It's very difficult to watch," he said.

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What was filmed there is a tragedy, an absolute tragedy. You can't help but be affected by it. It's very difficult to watch. I really feel for the family of Henry at this time.

Mark Nowak, Henry's father, shared the family's enduring grief, calling it "unbearable" to witness his son's treatment by police compared to his killer. However, he urged against using his son's death to fuel division, stating, "We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension." The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and political reactions, with accusations of "two-tier policing" being leveled by some.

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We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.