Police Under Scrutiny After Tragic Death of Student

Newly released body camera footage has heightened scrutiny of local police following the tragic death of an 18-year-old university student, Henry Nowak, who was heard pleading that he had been stabbed and couldn’t breathe before he died on a Southampton street.

The video, made public on Monday after the conviction of 23-year-old Vickram Digwa for murder, shows Nowak on the ground after a stabbing incident on December 3, 2025, expressing his distress and repeatedly stating he was “stabbed” and “I can’t breathe.”

One officer’s response to his plea was, “I don’t think so, dude,” as captured on the footage. Reports indicate that Nowak was handcuffed after Digwa claimed she was the victim of a racist attack prior to the police’s arrival.

According to Reuters, once officers realized Nowak had severe stab wounds, they removed the handcuffs and attempted CPR.

On Monday, Digwa received a life sentence for the murder, which was committed with a 21cm blade described as a Sikh kirpan-like weapon.

This incident has ignited significant political backlash in Britain, prompting renewed discussions about policing, race, and knife crime. Nowak’s father, Mark Nowak, read a statement outside the court in which he emphasized that his son called for help repeatedly before he lost consciousness.

Mark Nowak described how his son, after being stabbed multiple times, attempted to flee but was pursued and assaulted by Digwa and others. He recounted that when the police arrived, Henry was in serious medical distress and barely able to sit up.

“I told them I couldn’t breathe. I told them I had been stabbed,” he lamented. “Yet one officer replied, ‘I don’t think so, dude,'” he added, expressing his heartache and frustration.

The Nowak family holds Digwa entirely responsible for Henry’s death, but Mark also criticized the police, asserting that “Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody. His treatment was inhumane and degrading.”

Prominent figures, including Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, remarked that the incident reflects a troubling fear among police of being labeled racist, which he believes overshadowed their duty in saving Henry Nowak.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the death as a “horrible and shocking incident,” supporting the decision of the Independent Office for Police Conduct to investigate the police response.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police, responsible for the area, had previously issued an apology, with Deputy Constable Robert France stating regret that Nowak was handcuffed shortly before losing consciousness.

As the investigation continues, police are under scrutiny from the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Authorities had not responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital at the time of reporting.