Oxfordshire leaders call for ‘unity’ after Henry Nowak’s murder

Henry Nowak died aged 18 in police custody last December after being stabbed to death by Vickrum  Digwa, of Southampton, who was sentenced to life in jail for the murder on June 1.

Following the sentencing, violent unrest broke out in Southampton on Tuesday night (June 2), resulting in 11 police officers and one police dog being injured.

Henry Nowak (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

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The Oxfordshire and Thames Valley Civic, Community and Faith Leaders’ Group issued a statement ‘urging calm and restraint’ in the wake of the riots.

The group also commended the ‘dignity and courage’ shown by Henry’s father, Mark Nowak. who appealed for his son’s murder not to be used to sow division.

Undated handout photo issued by Hampshire Police of Vickrum Digwa. (Image: Hampshire Police/PA Wire)

Bishop Gavin Collins, acting bishop of Oxford, and Imam Monawar Hussain, who co-chair the Oxfordshire and Thames Valley Civic, Community and Faith Leaders Groups, said: “Yesterday’s verdict in the murder of Henry Nowak brings no relief from the terrible pain of a young life taken so brutally.

“Our hearts go out to Henry’s family, and we hold them in our thoughts and prayers with the deepest sympathy.

“We also wish to honour the courage and dignity of Mark Nowak, whose words have reminded the country that this terrible crime must not be used to divide our communities.

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“That is a message of real moral clarity at a moment of grief, anger and tension. It deserves to be heard.

“We are deeply concerned by the violence and disorder seen in Southampton overnight.

Protestors clashing with police in Southampton on Tuesday night (PA)

“No family mourning such a devastating loss should see that grief turned into an excuse for further hatred, fear or unrest. We call for calm, responsibility and restraint on all sides.”

The group said space has to be given for the Independent Office for Police Conduct to investigate the police’s response to the situation, and likewise called for people to not place ‘collective blame’ on the Sikh community.

The faith leaders added: “This is a moment to stand with a grieving family, to reject those who would exploit tragedy for division, and to recommit ourselves to the values of decency, peace and shared responsibility.”

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Speaking outside the court after Digwa was sentenced, Mark Nowak, Henry’s father, condemned the police’s treatment of his son as ‘inhumane and degrading’ and said: “We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.

“We want his story to help make our streets safer for everyone .”

Following the riots in Southampton on Tuesday night, Hampshire Police Chief Constable Alexis Boon said some people “clearly arrived intent on causing disorder and trouble” and “while we are forced to deal with those determined to spark fear and division, our finite resources are taken away from those who need it most”.