Protesters pelted police with missiles during clashes in Southampton close to where an 18-year-old student was handcuffed by police as he lay dying after being stabbed.
Henry Nowak was attacked on 3 December 2025 by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa who told police at the time that he had been the victim of a racist attack.
In body-worn camera footage from the incident, Mr Nowak can be heard repeatedly saying: "I've been stabbed".
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station yesterday where far-right activist Tommy Robinson was among those who spoke to the crowd.
Violent scenes broke out after a large group walked across town to the area of Portswood with demonstrators chanting "Henry, Henry" as the line of police were pelted with bricks.
Watch: Protesters clash with police in Southampton
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.
British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood later condemned the scenes in Portswood as "completely unacceptable" and accused the demonstrators of "hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder" in defiance of a plea by Mr Nowak's family not to use the murder to feed division and hatred.
The clashes with police come amid growing tensions and scrutiny over how officers dealt with the incident, which included arresting and handcuffing Mr Nowak as he lay dying.
"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," Ms Mahmood said.
"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," she added.
"I thank the police who have... shown great bravery and calm in the face of disgraceful violence directed at them," she said.
Digwa was given a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years in prison for stabbing Mr Howak with a ceremonial knife, which he carried as part of his Sikh religion.
He had previously been investigated by police in 2023 on suspicion of stealing ceremonial blades from a Sikh temple in Southampton but no further action was taken.
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) announced it would review anti-racism guidance - called the Race Action Plan - that some have blamed for the actions of the officers who arrested Mr Nowak.
"We are listening to legitimate concerns about how some of these commitments are worded or phrased, and where needed we can and will make changes, but this should not detract from the intent, which is to improve the quality of policing," NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens said.
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.
Watch: Bodycam footage shows police handcuffing Henry Nowak
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he "felt sick" watching "harrowing" footage of police handcuffing Mr Nowak and said there are "serious questions" to answer about the case.
There needs to be an examination into how "accusations of racism" informed the police's decision-making in the case, he added.
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.
Mr Nowak's father Mark Nowak, speaking after Digwa was sentenced on Monday, said, "We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension."
But Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said people should respond with "pure cold rage" to Mr Nowak's treatment, which he said was evidence of a "two-tier culture".
Mr Nowak was "actually treated in a way that meant an accusation of a racial slur was treated more seriously than an act of murder," Mr Farage said.
Earlier yesterday, Hampshire Police said an officer not connected to the case has faced death threats after being misidentified in online posts.
In a post on X, the force said, "We recognise the desire for answers about the police response that night" and warned people not to indulge in "harmful online speculation".
Read More: UK police watchdog report into student murder within three months
