Southampton Man Sentenced for Murder With Sikh Ceremonial Blade

Protesters threw chairs, cans, bottles, bricks, stones, flares and burning bins at police officers outside Southampton Central Police Station on Tuesday after the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa for the murder of Henry Nowak. Hundreds gathered at the station where activist Tommy Robinson and Laurence Fox addressed the crowd.

Officers in riot gear retreated after the objects were thrown, and two people were arrested for assault on an officer and possession of a weapon.

Police said one officer involved in the case has resigned while three others remain in service. The force stated the resignation followed review of footage showing Mr Nowak handcuffed while lying on the ground after the stabbing.

Policing minister Sarah Jones described the violence as unacceptable and urged the public to allow the justice process to proceed. She rejected claims of two-tier policing and said a National Police Chiefs' Council document on race should be reviewed.

Downing Street also rejected the notion of two-tier policing. The family of Henry Nowak issued a statement calling for knife crime to be treated as a national emergency and stating they did not want his death used to create division. Mark Nowak, father of the victim, said outside Southampton Crown Court that the case was not about race or religion and called for a common-sense approach to law and order.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said the National Police Chiefs' Council would amend wording in its anti-racism commitment if needed to ensure officers police without fear or favour.