The British Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating two police officers for alleged misconduct in the handling of the murder case of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton, England.

The murder of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old who was fatally stabbed in Southampton, England, in December 2025, has led to an investigation by the British Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into two police officers. The officers, who were the first to arrive at the crime scene, are suspected of gross misconduct in their handling of the case. The investigation focuses on their failure to provide medical assistance to Nowak, who was critically injured, and their decision to place him in handcuffs despite his claims that he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe.

The case gained widespread attention in the United Kingdom due to the circumstances surrounding the incident. The perpetrator, who claimed to be a follower of the Sikh religion, alleged that he had been racially insulted and portrayed himself as a victim. This narrative was initially accepted by the police, leading to significant public outrage. The attacker was later convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. Bodycam footage from the responding officers, showing Nowak in distress and being ignored, sparked further criticism and protests in Southampton, some of which escalated into violent clashes.

The IOPC announced in June that it would investigate the case, and the inquiry has now entered a new phase. The investigation is examining whether the officers failed to recognize the severity of Nowak’s injuries and whether their actions were influenced by the ethnic or religious backgrounds of the victim and the perpetrator. Derrick Campbell, a representative of the IOPC, stated that one officer may have violated conduct regulations by not taking Nowak’s statements seriously. The case has also been a focal point for political debate, with differing interpretations from various political groups regarding its implications for racial and social dynamics in the UK.