UK home secretary warns of “dangerous undercurrent” after Nowak case

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Monday warned of a “dangerous undercurrent” of misinformation and inflammatory commentary after the December 2025 murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. She told the House of Commons that online abuse has led to death threats against police officers, including one officer who was misidentified and forced to relocate. Her comments came as Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years for the fatal stabbing.

Mahmood said police have a duty to operate “without fear or favour” and stressed equality before the law. She urged the public and political figures to avoid amplifying claims that could inflame tensions or encourage attempts to “take the law into one’s own hands.”

The case has drawn scrutiny of the initial police response after body-worn camera footage showed Nowak being handcuffed despite repeatedly telling officers he had been stabbed. The episode has prompted widespread criticism on social media and renewed debate about how officers assess allegations and immediate threats during fast-moving incidents.

Investigations and sentencing review

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight officers had with Nowak prior to his death. Mahmood said the watchdog is expected to report its findings within three months.

The Attorney General’s office said it had received multiple requests to review Digwa’s sentence under the unduly lenient sentence scheme. Officials noted that law officers have 28 days from sentencing to consider a case and decide whether to refer it for review.

Calls for restraint and policy debate

The Hampshire Police Federation condemned calls for “mob or vigilante justice” against officers and said police involved in the case should be allowed due process. The federation also warned that officers have been wrongly identified online and that personal details, including home addresses, have been circulated.

The police and crime commissioner for Hampshire is advocating a review of religious exemptions for carrying knives, a debate that has sharpened following the killing. The commissioner’s proposal has not been set out in detail in the information released so far.

Officials said the watchdog’s findings and any decision on a sentence review will be the next key steps in the case, alongside any further policing or legislative discussions that follow.