'Justice for Henry Nowak' march turns violent: 11 Police officers hurt after protests escalate in high-profile murder case

'Justice for Henry Nowak' march turned into violence after police tried to control protesters over the high-profile murder case.

Rioting broke out on Tuesday night as hundreds gathered outside the Southampton police station to protest the murder of Henry Nowak, who died in police custody in December.

Hampshire police said that 11 officers had been hurt in the rioting.

Clashes erupt in Southampton following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa, prompting a government minister to demand urgent reform of police anti-racism guidance

The crowd outside the police station was addressed by far right figures who claimed institutional racism against white people from the police was to blame for the death of Nowak, who was studying accounting at the University of Southampton.

Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, told the crowd that it happened due to racism.

“If Henry wasn’t white, he wouldn’t have been handcuffed," said Lennon.

Footage shows protesters throwing traffic cones, bins and stones at police officers wearing riot gear. One officer narrowly avoided being hit by an e-scooter that had been thrown from a height, according to one report. Protesters carried signs bearing the name Henry Nowak.

Why was Henry Nowak murdered?

Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student of Southampton University. He was stabbed to death by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa. Digwa falsely told the police that Nowak had racially abused him. Bodycam footage from the night of Nowak’s death shows he told officers, “I can’t breathe” at least seven times and was ignored.

After Digwa was jailed, Nowak’s father, Mark Nowak, said the family did not want the death of their 18-year-old son “to be used to create further division, hatred or tension. We want his story to help make our streets safer for everyone.”

UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer condemns Henry Nowak's death as police response sparks Southampton race protests.

However, political figures including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and shadow home secretary Chris Philp have ignored this and used Nowak’s death to claim that there is a “two-tier” policing system.

Police reported two arrests have been made so far with more to follow.