British government condemns violence during protests over teenager’s stabbing death

Britain’s home secretary has accused activists of hijacking the tragedy to incite violence after police were attacked during a protest over the death of a teenage boy who was found dying in handcuffs while the gunman stood nearby.

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Hundreds of people attending a protest in Southampton, the southern English coastal city where Henry Nowak was killed in December, attacked police late Tuesday, throwing chairs, cans, rocks and flares. Police said two people were arrested and 11 officers and a police dog were injured.

Nowak’s death has sparked debate over policing and knife crime and sparked claims from far-right activists and politicians that there is bias against whites in the justice system.

A protester throws a brick during a protest on Tuesday. Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

Vickrum Digwa, the Sikh who killed Nowak, falsely claimed he was the victim of a racist attack by Nowak, a white 18-year-old. When police arrived, they initially considered the injured person a suspect, then recognized his injuries and attempted to resuscitate him.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday the incident left “serious questions that need to be answered, including how accusations of racism influenced police thinking.” But he said street violence was “shameful and completely unacceptable”.

Interior Minister Shabana Mahmoud said Tuesday night’s violence was “completely unacceptable.”

“The Novak family strongly urged all of us yesterday to ensure that Henry’s death is not used to create further division, hatred and tension,” she said. “There is no justification for hijacking this tragedy to incite violence and disorder. Those responsible can expect to face the full force of the law.”

A protester puts his face against a police shield. Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

Digwa, 23, was found guilty of murder and sentenced Monday to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years. The judge said he did not believe Nowak had made racist comments to his attacker.

After the sentencing, police released a video showing Novak firing an officer after he repeatedly said he had been stabbed and couldn’t breathe.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was sickened by the video and that there were questions that needed to be answered about “how accusations of racism influenced decision-making in this case”.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct, which investigates allegations of police misconduct, is investigating the conduct of officers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight police stations. The Police Chiefs’ Council said it would review its anti-racism guidelines following the killings.

After the sentencing hearing, the victim’s father, Mark Nowak, said the case was not about racism or religion and that he wanted his son’s death to lead to safer streets and not be used to create ‘further division, hatred and tension.’

But Nigel Farage, leader of Britain’s anti-immigration Reform Party, said on Tuesday this was an example of so-called two-tier policing. This is a popular far-right talking point that claims ethnic minorities are treated better than white people.

Protesters throw objects at police.Justin Tallis / AFP via Getty Images

Farage urged people to respond to the incident with “pure cold anger” and said “white lives matter just as much as black lives.” X owner Elon Musk and British far-right activist Staph Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, also expressed outrage over the crime.

Some politicians have called for Sikhs to be banned from possessing ceremonial swords known as kirpans. The judge said Digwa had a small kirpan, but he also had a Sikh dagger with an eight-inch sheath that was used to kill Nowak.

Hampshire Police Chief Alexis Boone said she understood the “desire for answers and accountability”.

He said: “But it must be done in the right way and not used as an excuse to threaten and intimidate my officers and bring violence into the streets to cause fear and harm to people who live and work in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”

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