Hampshire Police Federation has condemned calls for 'vigilante justice' against officers following the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, a Sikh man who falsely accused him of racism. The federation warned that officers have been wrongly identified and their home addresses published online.
Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder, which occurred in December 2025. Body-worn camera footage released by Hampshire police showed Nowak handcuffed while repeatedly telling officers he had been stabbed, with one officer responding, 'I don't think you have, mate.' Digwa had falsely claimed Nowak knocked off his turban and caused an eye injury.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for 'pure cold rage' over the case, sparking widespread criticism on social media. The Police Federation urged politicians and media commentators to be more responsible and allow due process for the officers involved.
The Attorney General's Office is considering whether Digwa's sentence should be reviewed under the unduly lenient sentence scheme, having received 'multiple requests.' A spokesperson said the law officers have 28 days to make a decision.
Digwa's family issued an apology via the Sikh Press Association, expressing sorrow for the Nowak family and apologising to the Sikh community for bringing it into disrepute. They urged that the tragedy not be used to inflame division or hostility.
Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones described the stabbing as a 'national tragedy' and is writing to Prime Minister Keir Starmer to request a review of religious exemptions for carrying bladed articles, noting Digwa used a 'large Sikh dagger.' Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds called the police conduct 'shocking' but did not support reviewing the exemption for Sikhs.
