The fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton, England, in December, has sparked a debate surrounding policing, race, and knife crime. Nowak died from a stab wound while handcuffed by police, who initially dismissed his claims of being stabbed and struggling to breathe. His killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, had falsely accused Nowak of a racist attack, leading officers to seemingly accept his narrative. The case gained renewed attention following Digwa's sentencing to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years and the release of video footage showing the police's handling of Nowak. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed concern over how accusations of racism might have influenced police decision-making, while protests erupted outside a police station. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the officers' response.