Two police officers in Henry Nowak case are under investigation for gross misconduct, watchdog reveals

By RORY TINGLE, HOME AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT Published: 09:39, 1 July 2026 | Updated: 09:57, 1 July 2026 Two police officers who arrested and handcuffed Henry Nowak as he lay dying are under investigation for gross misconduct, the police watchdog revealed today.  The Independent Office for Police Conduct's (IOPC) said its investigation will examine whether the Hampshire Police officers breached professional standards.  Its investigators will examine the officers' alleged failure to recognise the 18-year-old needed urgent medical help, to immediately act after he said he had been stabbed and could not breathe, and the decision to handcuff him rather than provide first aid. The IOPC will also look into the possibility one of the officers breached standards relating to 'respect and courtesy' for appearing to dismiss Henry saying he had been stabbed by saying, 'Don't think you have, mate'. In a case which shocked the nation, police arrested and handcuffed the student as he lay dying after his killer Vickrum Digwa, falsely claimed he had been racially abused. The IOPC has already spent six months examining the circumstances of the appalling case in which police were tricked by the 23-year-old killer shortly after he stabbed Mr Nowak five times on a night out in Southampton last December. Officers found guilty of gross misconduct face automatic dismissal. IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell said: 'We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to Henry's family and friends. 'Our investigators met with Henry's family earlier this month where we were able to discuss our investigation with them in depth, now that criminal proceedings have concluded. 'We are obliged to constantly review the evidence obtained throughout our investigations and assess any indications of potential misconduct for officers involved. As a result, two officers will now face gross misconduct investigations. The police watchdog is investigating officers involved in the Henry Nowak case  Police officers pinned fatally injured Henry to the ground as he gasped 'I've been stabbed' and 'I can't breath'. Gurpreet had said Henry was the aggressor Murderer Vickrum Digwa is seen lying to police as he tells them the teenager ripped off his turban in a racist attack. It was revealed to be a 'wicked lie' Vickrum Digwa (pictured) was jailed for a minimum of 21 years after he stabbed Henry to death 'There is clear evidence that public confidence in the force may have been seriously harmed by this incident, and that is a factor we must consider when assessing the evidence. 'The serving of gross misconduct notices does not necessarily mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow. At the end of our investigation, we will decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.' In the months before Mr Nowak was killed, tensions in the local area of Portswood were growing after a series of incidents, including the arrest of two asylum seekers for exposure and groping two women walking down a street. Locals described a 'climate of ongoing racial abuse' due to the anti-migrant protests at the hotel. In September, police had launched an arson investigation after a flare was thrown through a ground-floor window. The following month a rally ended in violent clashes between migrants and protesters outside the hotel. Police had made five arrests since protests began last summer and issued five dispersal orders, including one in November just days before the murder 500 metres from the hotel. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.