UK police face outrage over handcuffing dying student

Body camera footage showing British police handcuffing a dying 18-year-old student has ignited outrage and led to violent far-right protests. Henry Nowak was heard repeatedly telling officers "I can't breathe" as he lay mortally wounded in December, after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa.

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I can’t breathe

Far-right figures, including Tommy Robinson, have amplified the case, claiming police mistreat white Britons. Protesters marched through Southampton, the city where the murder occurred, throwing projectiles at police. Digwa, 23, was jailed for at least 21 years for stabbing Nowak with a ceremonial knife.

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Don’t think you have, mate.

During the investigation, Digwa falsely told officers that Nowak had racially abused him. The released bodycam footage shows police accepting this false accusation and handcuffing Nowak instead of immediately providing aid, despite his pleas. One officer can be heard questioning the severity of Nowak's injuries.

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shocking. Inhumane and degrading… his murderer, however, was afforded decency. He was believed.

Nowak's father described the police treatment of his son as "shocking, inhumane and degrading," contrasting it with the "decency" afforded to his murderer. The family permitted the release of the footage, and the police force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the footage "harrowing" and supported the IOPC investigation, stating serious questions need answering.

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harrowing