Nowak review to examine if racism fears played part in police conduct

An independent review into Henry Nowak ’s murder will investigate whether police failed to act on his Sikh killer’s obsession with religious knives over racism fears. Shabana Mahmood , the Home Secretary, has ordered the review to establish whether the police and other agencies were too slow to act on previous reports of violent behaviour by Mr Nowak’s killer, Vickrum Digwa. The review, headed by Alex Chalk, a former Conservative justice secretary, is to investigate how far “cultural sensitivities” led to police, education authorities and social services being reluctant to intervene over Digwa’s “unhealthy fixation” with ceremonial knives. Digwa used a 21cm (8in) dagger to kill Mr Nowak, 18, who was walking home from a night out in Southampton on Dec 3. He was jailed for life in June with a minimum term of 21 years. The case triggered accusations of two-tier policing . Mr Nowak, a student, was handcuffed by police as he lay dying because Digwa had lied about being racially abused by the teenager. A video of Mr Nowak in handcuffs saying “I can’t breathe” caused national anger leading to violent disorder in Southampton, during which 12 police officers and a police dog were injured. At Digwa’s trial, Nicholas Lobbenberg KC, prosecuting, said the killer had a “weapons obsession”. Police investigating the crime had found more than 20 ceremonial and other weapons in his bedroom. Announcing the independent review in the Commons, Ms Mahmood said: “It will investigate what was known about the perpetrator, including any missed opportunities to intervene. It will look at the Nowak family’s experience of the criminal justice system and whether they were supported in the manner they should have been. “Once the Independent Office for Police Conduct [IOPC] has concluded its investigation into the police response, this review will also consider the actions of the IOPC and, if necessary, the police. “We must get to the truth of what happened before, during, and after that awful night, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that no family suffers the same fate. We owe that to Henry and to all who loved him. They deserve answers, and this review will provide them.” She added: “The Nowak family have shown extraordinary courage and dignity in their pursuit of answers. Henry’s case has raised serious and legitimate questions about whether more could have been done to prevent this tragedy, and about the response of public authorities in its aftermath. This review will leave no stone unturned in seeking those answers.” In a statement, the Nowak family welcomed the announcement, thanking Ms Mahmood for “listening to our concerns”. They described it as a “significant moment in our fight for justice”. The statement said: “Since Henry was murdered, we’ve fought tirelessly for answers to questions no family should ever have to ask. The emotional toll of that fight, on top of the unimaginable grief of losing Henry, has been immense. “We hope this review, alongside the ongoing investigations and inquest, will finally uncover the full truth and deliver the accountability and meaningful change we have fought so hard for. Our experience of the criminal justice system has been deeply disappointing, and we are determined that no other family should have to endure what we have. “This is an important step forward, but there is still a long road ahead. We will not stop fighting until we secure the answers, accountability and meaningful change that Henry, and every family in this country, deserves.” The Home Office said the review would investigate the role of the police, health services, local authorities and educational institutions, and faith organisations, including concerns relating to Digwa’s weapon possession and violent, threatening and erratic behaviour. Digwa is said to have been seen with an airgun in his back garden in October 2022. A neighbour who recorded him firing shots reported it to police. Young worshippers were also said to have been targeted by Digwa in a campaign of “intimidation, interrogation and bullying”. One source asked: “Did authorities respond and log it appropriately or was there a misplaced sense of cultural sensitivity which meant they did not act in the way they should have done? The reports tend to suggest he had an unhealthy fixation with religious blades. “The public concern in this case is that someone was acting erratically with ceremonial knives which might have made the authorities more reluctant to report it because they were fearful it would offend religious sensibilities.”