MINISTERS have appealed for calm after violent clashes between protesters and police near where Henry Nowak was stabbed to death.
The unrest came amid an outcry about the policing response to the murder after the student’s killer claimed he had been the victim of a racial attack while Mr Nowak was handcuffed by police as he lay dying.
Two people were arrested for assaulting police and possession of a weapon after hundreds gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station on Tuesday where far-right agitator Tommy Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – and former GB News presenter Laurence Fox were among those who spoke to the crowd.
Violent scenes broke out after a large group walked across town to the area of Portswood, close to where the murder took place.
Demonstrators chanted “Henry, Henry” as the line of police were pelted with bricks.
Chairs, cans and flares were thrown at police in riot gear, eventually forcing officers and three police vans back from the line they had been holding.
Police confirmed that 11 officers and one police dog were injured following the clashes.
It comes after the family of Mr Nowak said that they did not want Henry's murder "to be used to create further hatred, division or tension".
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the scenes were “completely unacceptable” and accused the demonstrators of “hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder” .
Mahmood said: “The Nowak family made a powerful call to us all yesterday to not let Henry’s death be used to create further division, hatred or tension.
“There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder. Those responsible can expect to face the full force of the law.
“I thank the police who have tonight shown great bravery and calm in the face of disgraceful violence directed at them.”
Policing minister Sarah Jones said she understood the anger the case had caused, but urged people not to “over-react”, saying Mr Nowak’s family did not want his murder to stir up hostility or division.
“We are urging that people take the anger that they feel, which I understand, but let’s allow justice to do its course, and let’s not over-react, which indeed is what the family are asking us to do as well,” she told Times Radio.
The case has been seized on by politicians including Nigel Farage, Robinson and tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Farage was accused of "stoking hate" after saying that the treatment of Mr Nowak was evidence of a "two-tier culture".
He added: "Henry’s family have responded to this in just the most extraordinarily dignified way.
“But I suggest the rest of us respond to this with pure cold rage."
The Reform UK leader also said there needed to be an end to “anti-white prejudice” and a recognition that “white lives matter just as much as black lives”. In a social media post ahead of the statement he said "white lives matter too".
Meanwhile, Robinson also joined the protest outside Southampton Police Station, telling the crowd "this is about race".
He said: "I heard someone say this wasn’t about race, this is about race.
“Because he (Mr Nowak) was white he was handcuffed.
“Even after they found out he (Digwa) had stabbed him five times, they still didn’t handcuff him.
“A white boy who done nothing was handcuffed, a murderer in possession of a knife who stabbed someone five times isn’t.”
Mr Nowak’s killer, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, told police attending the scene of the stabbing in Southampton on December 3, 2025 that he had been the victim of a racist attack.
In body-worn camera footage from the incident, a handcuffed Mr Nowak can be heard repeatedly saying: “I’ve been stabbed”, to which an officer replies: “Don’t think you have, mate.”
Digwa was given a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years in prison for stabbing Mr Nowak with a ceremonial knife with a 21cm blade prosecutors said was a kirpan, which he carried as part of his Sikh religion.
The police watchdog is expected to report on the case within the next three months.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said investigators are examining a large amount of body-worn video as well as material presented during Digwa’s trial.
Hampshire Police confirmed that one of the officers involved in the case has resigned, while the other three are still serving.
All of them are being treated as witnesses.
