We, the undersigned, call on Hampshire Police, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), and the Home Secretary to:

Release the body-worn camera (bodycam) footage from the officers who responded to the incident on Belmont Road in Southampton on 3 December 2025, where 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed. The footage should be released in full (with appropriate redactions for sensitive personal information if necessary) now that Vickrum Digwa has been convicted of murder.627099

Hold a full, independent investigation into the police response, including why Henry Nowak was handcuffed while he was bleeding to death from multiple stab wounds, despite him reportedly telling officers he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe.defa51

Ensure transparency and public accountability so that lessons can be learned to prevent similar failures in the future and to restore public trust in policing.

Background

Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old first-year university student, was walking home after a night out when he was attacked and stabbed multiple times with a large blade. When police arrived, they handcuffed Henry based on claims made by the attacker, before providing life-saving aid. Henry tragically died at the scene. His family, the public, and many public figures have rightly raised serious concerns about the officers' actions and priorities at the scene.7a104c

Releasing the bodycam footage would provide clarity, counter misinformation, and demonstrate a commitment to openness—especially given the widespread public interest and questions about two-tier policing and officer training in high-stress situations involving serious injury.

This is not about prejudging individual officers, but about ensuring accountability, improving procedures for identifying victims versus suspects in chaotic incidents, and upholding the highest standards of public service.

Our demands:

Immediate release of relevant bodycam footage following the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Publication of findings from any internal or IOPC review into the response.

Clear commitments from Hampshire Police on changes to training for dealing with stabbing victims and conflicting accounts at crime scenes.

Henry Nowak's death was a terrible tragedy. His family deserves answers, and the British public deserves transparency from the police.

Please sign and share this petition to demand justice, accountability, and reform.

Join us in calling for the release of the Hampshire police bodycam footage and a comprehensive independent review into this case. Your signature can help shine a light on the truth and drive change within law enforcement practices. Please sign this petition to demand transparency and justice for Henry Nowak and his grieving family.