Full Breakdown
Henry Nowak’s murder reignites debate over Sikh kirpan exemption, police conduct and UK knife laws
6/6/2026, 8:58:05 AM
The fatal stabbing in Southampton
On 3 December 2025, 18-year-old finance student Henry Nowak was stabbed five times on Belmont Road, Southampton, by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, a member of the Nihang order of Sikhs. Digwa claimed he had been racially abused and acted in self-defence. Body-camera footage shows Nowak repeatedly saying “I’ve been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe” while officers handcuffed him and treated him as a suspect. Digwa was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.
Legal context of the kirpan and knife statutes
UK law criminalises the public carrying of most knives under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, but Section 139 provides a “good reason” defence for religious purposes. The kirpan—a small ceremonial blade worn by initiated Sikhs as one of the Five Ks—is covered by this exemption. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 further protects kirpans up to 50 cm when carried for worship. Digwa carried a small kirpan under his clothing and a second, larger 21 cm dagger in a sheath; the judge ruled the larger blade, not the kirpan, was the murder weapon.
Key actors and groups
- Henry Nowak – victim, finance student from Chafford Hundred.
- Vickrum Digwa – convicted murderer, associated with the Nihang order.
- Mark Nowak – father, spokesperson for the family.
- Judge William Mousley KC – sentencing judge.
- Sikh MPs (11) – issued a joint statement distancing Sikhism from the crime.
- Sikh Federation & Sikh Press Association – clarified the weapon was not a kirpan.
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – defended the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood – affirmed respect for religious freedom.
- Far-right figures – Tommy Robinson, Nigel Farage, UKIP leader Nick Tenconi, Laurence Fox, who used the case to rally supporters.
- Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones – called for a national review of knife-law exemptions.
Timeline of key events
- 3 Dec 2025 – stabbing and police response.
- Dec 2025–May 2026 – trial of Digwa.
- 1 Jun 2026 – life sentence handed down.
- 2 Jun 2026 – protests in Southampton, violent clashes, 11 officers injured.
- June 2026 onward – IOPC investigation; jury inquest scheduled for 2027; parliamentary debate on kirpan exemption.
Data and statistics
- Blade used: 21 cm (? 8 in) dagger.
- Minimum custodial term: 21 years.
- Knife-law penalties: up to four years imprisonment, unlimited fine, or both.
- Police-conduct investigation: ongoing, with at least one officer already removed from front-line duties.
Why it matters
The case sits at the intersection of public safety, religious liberty, and community cohesion. It has prompted calls to tighten the kirpan exemption, while Sikh organisations warn that blanket bans would punish law-abiding believers for the actions of one individual. The police handling of a dying victim has also revived scrutiny of anti-racism training and “two-tier policing” narratives.
Official statements & responses
Sikh MPs asserted the murder was “not about Sikhism” and condemned the use of a “offensive weapon”. The Crown Prosecution Service maintained that Digwa chose to carry two ceremonial knives, one of which the judge identified as a kirpan. Prime Minister Starmer said the IOPC investigation was “right” and urged calm. Home Secretary Mahmood emphasized that “religious freedom is a very important principle that this Government respects.” Police Chief Constable Alexis Boon expressed “deep regret” over the footage and pledged full cooperation with the inquiry.
Criticism & opposition
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage urged the public to “respond with pure cold rage” and called for the repeal of the kirpan exemption. Conservative MP Robert Jenrick and UKIP’s Nick Tenconi echoed calls for a blanket ban on bladed religious items. Far-right activists framed the incident as evidence of “two-tier policing”, a claim contested by scholars and minority-rights groups.
On-the-ground reports
Body-camera video captured Nowak’s pleas for help being ignored while officers processed Digwa’s false claim of racial abuse. Protesters in Southampton hurled bricks, bottles and flares at police; several officers required medical treatment. Sikh community members reported a surge in hate incidents, including verbal abuse in Kent and Birmingham, and a decline in gurdwara attendance.
Conflicting reports & gaps
The Sikh Federation and Sikh Press Association state the murder weapon was a large ceremonial dagger, not a kirpan, whereas the CPS initially described the weapon as a kirpan. The judge’s finding affirmed the dagger’s use but allowed the kirpan defence for the smaller blade. Details of why officers initially accepted Digwa’s 999 call remain under investigation.
Verbatim quotes
- “This is not a case about Sikhism. This is not a case about racism. This is a case about murder.” — Mark Nowak, father
- “You have brought shame upon your family, your community and your religion.” — Judge William Mousley KC
- “We must not allow the actions of one murderer to divide communities or fuel hostility towards innocent people.” — Statement from 11 Sikh Labour lawmakers
- “The public should respond with pure cold rage.” — Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader
- “Religious freedom is a very important principle that this Government respects.” — Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood
- “The kirpan should only ever be used offensively as a last resort.” — Judge William Mousley KC
What’s next
The IOPC investigation continues, with a jury inquest slated for 2027. Commissioner Donna Jones plans to write to the Prime Minister urging a national review of knife-law exemptions. Reform UK and other parties have tabled proposals to repeal the kirpan defence, while Sikh bodies are mobilising education campaigns on lawful possession. The outcome will shape the balance between religious accommodation and public-safety policy in the United Kingdom.
