Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced on Monday to a minimum of 21 years in prison for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was killed in an attack in Southampton in December 2025.
The incident has sparked violent protests in Southampton, resulting in 11 police officers sustaining injuries and damage to property and vehicles.
Addressing lawmakers in the House of Commons, he said the violent protests were “disgraceful and completely unacceptable.”
Nigel Farage, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and leader of the hard-right Reform UK Party that triumphed in recent local elections, claimed the country was living under “two-tier policing” based on ethnicity.
Starmer staunchly rejected Farage’s comments, highlighting that Nowak's family had expressed his death should not be "used to create further division, hatred or tension.”
The tensions were particularly evident in Southampton, where anger over the case spilled onto the streets on Tuesday night.
"Last night, we made two arrests and that number will rise as those investigations continue,” said Chief Constable Alexis Boon of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. “I know that since the release of the body-worn video footage from the night of Henry Nowak’s murder, there is a desire for answers and accountability, but that must be done in the right way.”
Divisions have been stoked following the release of police bodycam footage earlier this week.
Nowak, who is lying on the ground as he’s being handcuffed, can be heard telling police “I can’t breathe” and “I’ve been stabbed,” to which one officer replies: "I don't think you have, mate."
Hampshire Police's Deputy Chief Constable Robert France said: "I am deeply sorry that Henry could not be saved. I am deeply sorry that in the moments he lost consciousness, he had been handcuffed and arrested."
The Gurdwara Nanaksar, a Sikh temple, in Southampton, pictured on June 2, 2026. —Justin Tallis—Getty Images
Sikh community expresses concern amid violent protests
The murder has reignited debate over the legal exemption that allows practising Sikhs in the U.K. to carry a kirpan, a ceremonial blade worn as an article of faith.
When delivering sentencing remarks on Monday, Judge William Mousley K.C., addressing Digwa, said: “You were sober, but were carrying a large Sikh dagger in a sheath attached to a belt over the outside of your clothing. It is a strict requirement of the Sikh faith to have a knife, called a kirpan, at all times. Generally, this will be a small knife, hidden from view, often on a length of cord and worn around the neck. You had that but, in addition, the large dagger in a sheath.”
However, the Sikh Federation (UK) has disputed that characterization, saying the blade used by Digwa was not a kirpan.
Labour lawmaker Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, who is Sikh, has accused those political parties of deciding to “politicize people’s pain, attacking the Sikh community for wearing the kirpan and wanting it banned, even though the kirpan was not used.”
The comments being made by right-wing figures are “highly irresponsible and dangerous,” he says.
Southampton’s violent protests took place near a local gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, and Singh is concerned that Sikhs may be targeted in the aftermath.
While Singh welcomed the remarks made by Starmer and Mahmood, he says “short statements are not enough” and is looking for the community to receive “real support.”
Hence then, the article about u k prime minister condemns violent protests as police face criticism over handcuffed student s murder was published today ( ) and is available on Time ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( U.K. Prime Minister Condemns Violent Protests as Police Face Criticism Over Handcuffed Student’s Murder )
Also on site :