On Sunday evening, a crowd of anti‑police demonstrators assembled outside Portswood Police Station in Southampton to protest the treatment of 18‑year‑old Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from a stabbing. The protest, sparked by newly released body‑cam footage, featured chants of “I can’t breathe,” kneeling, and a makeshift memorial, echoing global Black Lives Matter demonstrations.

Body‑cam footage shows ofifcers handcuffing Henry Nowak as he lay dying

The release of police‑worn camera video revealed officers placing handcuffs on Nowak while he struggled to breathe after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa. The footage captured an officer reading rights and remarking, “I don’t think you have, mate,” as the teen tried to explain his injuries. According to the source,the video has become the catalyst for the protest and an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Hundreds kneel and chant “I can’t breathe” outside Portswood Police Station

Protesters from across Southampton gathered with flags, megaphones and a memorial of flowers and photos. Many took a knee, echoing the symbolic gesture popularised by the Black Lives Matter movement. One participant, 62‑year‑old Paul, told the Mail, “If the cards had been flipped, the world would be on fire like with BLM.” The crowd also shouted “shame on you” and “no peace, no justice,” demanding an end to what they described as “two‑tier policing.”

Police response: sturdy presence, vans and 14 arrests after previous clashes

Hampshire Constabulary deployed a visible police presence, including multiple vans, to contain the demonstration. The source notes that a prior protest on Tuesday escalated into violent disorder, resulting in 14 arrests and injuries to eleven officers. On Sunday, three additional men were detained, bringing the total to 14 suspects charged with violent disorder.

Political fallout: Sir Keir Starmer urges restraint while IOPC launches inquiry

The case has entered a political arena, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer calling on politicians to respect the wishes of Nowak’s family and avoid inflaming tensions. The IOPC has opened an investigation into Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police, and Chief Constable Alexis Boon publicly apologised to the family. The US State Department also weighed in, condemning “two‑tiered policing” in western nations .

Unanswered question: Will the IOPC’s investigation lead to systemic reform?

The source does not detail the scope of the IOPC inquiry, leaving it unclear whether findings will trigger policy changes or disciplinary action against individual officers. Additionally, the protest’s organizers have not disclosed any formal demands beyond the release of transcripts and evidence, raising questions about the concrete outcomes they seek.