Henry Nowak’s father says the way police treated his dying son was ‘inhumane and degrading’

Henry Nowak’s father has called on the government to treat knife crime as a national emergency, saying police treatment of his dying son was “inhumane and degrading”.

Mark Nowak spoke outside Southampton Crown Court after Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the teenager’s murder.

Digwa stabbed Mr Nowak in a Southampton street, then told police the student had racially abused him, prompting police to handcuff the dying 18-year-old.

He collapsed a short time later and could not be saved.

“Justice has been served in the eyes of the law, but justice alone is not enough,” Mark Nowak said.

“We call on the government to treat knife crime as a national emergency,” he said.

He said the family “will carry this pain every day for the rest of our lives.”

“Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. He fell unconscious before anyone believed him.

“Let me be absolutely clear; we hold Vickrum Digwa alone and 100 percent responsible for the brutal murder of our son. But Henry should not have died in police custody on the streets of Southampton. His treatment was inhumane and degrading.”

“But his murderer was shown kindness. He was believed. He was not handcuffed when he was arrested. He was not handcuffed when he was taken to the police station.

“From what we understand, he was never handcuffed.

“And as Vickrum Digwa himself told the court, while he was on remand for Henry’s murder, the police even took him into the kitchen so he could choose his meal. The contrast is unbearable.”

Mr Nowak described the police treatment of his son, which the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating, as “shocking”.

“As we await its final report, we call on the home secretary to ensure that the IOPC has the resources, authority and independence it needs to conduct a full, fearless and transparent investigation.

“Our family should no longer have to fight for the truth.”

Mr Nowak said the government needed to invest in preventing knife crime and that “stronger action on the sale, ownership and handling of all knives” was needed.

“People should not be able to openly walk down Britain’s streets carrying a 21cm knife.

“As a family, we will not let this go. No other family should experience the pain and horror of losing their child to a knife.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the student’s murder on social media as a “horrible, shocking” incident.

“Henry’s loved ones endured the trauma of a lengthy trial and endured Henry’s killer making horrific allegations about their thoughtful, kind and much-loved son.

“It is true that the IOPC is investigating the police response to this senseless murder. “And we must end the cycle of tragedy by tackling the horrors of knife crime.

“Henry’s family, friends, the university and the city of Southampton will continue to feel his loss and our thoughts will always be with them.”