Key facts
- 59% of individuals arrested during protests after Henry Nowak's sentencing had prior domestic abuse reports.
- The protests followed the release of bodycam footage showing Nowak dying after being stabbed.
- Vickrum Digwa was jailed for life for murdering Nowak, falsely claiming racism.
- 12 police officers were injured during the violent disorder.
- The police watchdog is investigating officers' actions at the scene.
Most individuals arrested during violent protests following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa for the murder of Henry Nowak had previously been reported to police for domestic abuse, according to data obtained by The Guardian. Hampshire police data revealed that 22 out of 37 people detained in Southampton after Digwa was jailed for life had also faced reports related to intimate partner violence.
The protests, which occurred on June 2, were sparked by the release of police bodycam footage. The footage showed Nowak, 18, handcuffed and lying dying after being stabbed by Digwa. Digwa had falsely accused Nowak of racism and claimed he was the victim of a racist attack, leading to initial police actions that have since drawn scrutiny.
During the prolonged violent disorder, 12 police officers were injured, and nearby properties and vehicles sustained damage. Several individuals arrested for their involvement, including Harry Varney, Dillon Crawford, and Andrew Summerhayes, have since been sentenced for offenses ranging from assault to violent disorder, with Crawford and Varney having previous domestic abuse convictions.
Hampshire police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation into the actions of officers at the scene. The IOPC is examining potential failures in identifying Nowak's need for urgent medical attention and the decision to arrest and handcuff him before providing first aid.
Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive of Women's Aid, commented on the findings, stating that a correlation between public violence and domestic abuse is proven. A Home Office spokesperson affirmed the government's commitment to addressing violence against women and girls.