UK Police Criticized After Henry Nowak Murder

The death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak has sparked strong criticism of the police and prompted a political backlash in Britain.

Nowak died after being stabbed in Southampton. Footage released from a police bodycam shows officers initially did not believe he had been stabbed.

Rather than providing immediate medical assistance, officers handcuffed him after the attacker, Vickrum Digwa, told police he had been the victim of a racially motivated assault.

Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder this week. Investigators found that he had misled officers and attempted to conceal his role in the attack.

He asked his mother to hide the murder weapon and was recorded in Punjabi plotting to present it as a case of self-defense despite being the attacker.

Nowak's family described the officers' conduct as inhumane and humiliating. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the footage was shocking. An independent inquiry will examine whether the police response was impartial and appropriate.

Nowak's father spoke about the very different way the police treated his son and the murderer. He also asked for his son's death not to be used to inflame divisions.

The case has also become politically contentious. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage argued that officers acted out of concern that they could face accusations of racism.

(reuters, max)