UK Orders 5-Month Review Into Henry Nowak Murder as Police Response Faces Scrutiny
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Oct 26
UK Orders 5-Month Review Into Henry Nowak Murder as Police Response Faces Scrutiny
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Oct 26
Summary
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood ordered an independent review into the December 2025 murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, with findings due in five months.
Alex Chalk KC will lead a two-phase inquiry into what was known about killer Vickrum Digwa, whether warning signs on weapons or violent behavior were missed, and how Nowak's family was treated by the justice system.
Phase two will begin after the IOPC finishes investigating officers at the scene, where bodycam footage showed Nowak handcuffed and left on the floor after telling police he was injured.
Digwa was jailed for life on 1 June with a minimum 21-year term after falsely claiming racial abuse and self-defence, while a judge said faster treatment would not have saved Nowak.
The case has fueled wider debate over knife crime, race, policing and public trust, and Nowak's family called the review a significant step in their fight for accountability.