Hampshire Police have released an unedited transcript detailing the eight minutes it took for officers to discover a fatal stab wound on 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who bled to death last December. The incident has drawn criticism and sparked accusations of "two-tier policing." Nowak was handcuffed by officers who had initially believed claims made by his killer, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, that he had been racially abused.
The transcript, obtained by the BBC, begins with officers on the scene for approximately three minutes, having already called for an ambulance. Nowak was lying on the ground with his hands cuffed behind him when a male officer noted, "I'm not sure he's breathing." Upon confirming Nowak was not breathing, the officer removed the handcuffs, and a female colleague requested a defibrillator. The officers then began chest compressions while awaiting medical assistance.
During the CPR efforts, the officers became aware of a wound on Nowak's chest. "Has he been stabbed there?" the male officer asked, before stating, "I'm pushing on a [swears] stab wound." This discovery was made approximately nine minutes after police arrived at the scene. Paramedics took over care at 11:46 PM on December 3, 2025.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the police response. At Digwa's sentencing, Judge William Mousley KC acknowledged the "genuine shock" of the officer upon discovering the wound, suggesting the officer was doing his best in a difficult situation. The judge also noted that officers had been presented with a "convincing but wholly false narrative" by the assailant.
Digwa was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years for the murder, committed with a 21cm ceremonial knife he claimed to carry as part of his Sikh faith. Police have apologized to Nowak's family, but a pathologist testified that officers could not have saved him due to the extensive internal bleeding caused by the fatal wound.
The handling of the incident has led to widespread criticism and claims of "two-tier policing," with some suggesting officers may have disbelieved Nowak due to his race. This has prompted debate regarding current National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) guidance on policing, with some senior officers calling for a review to ensure impartiality.
Nowak's family has met with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, advocating for a return to "common-sense policing." Politicians have also voiced concerns, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticizing police for prioritizing "box ticking" over critical thinking and suggesting that the case, like the 1993 Stephen Lawrence killing, should be a turning point for policing reform.