11 officers, police dog hurt after riots in Southampton, England

June 3 (UPI) -- Police officers and a police dog were injured when far-right activists began violent protests in Southampton in southern England, law enforcement officials said Wednesday.

The riots happened after police released video footage Monday of a police officer handcuffing 18-year-old stabbing victim Henry Nowak in December just before he died.

Right-wing politicians and pundits said that British police were biased against white people.

Nowak was stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, after the two met on the street in Southampton. Digwa, who is Sikh, stabbed Nowak then told the police that Nowak made a racist attack against him. Police then handcuffed Nowak, believing him to be the attacker. After about a minute, police realized he was severely wounded and administered first aid, though Nowak died soon after.

On Monday, a judge sentenced Digwa to life in prison.

Henry Nowak's father, Mark Nowak, said his son had not "died with dignity." Though he criticized police for their actions, he said that the family didn't want "his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension."

Far-right activists, prompted by far-right agitator Tommy Robinson, gathered hundreds of people outside the main police station in Southampton.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, told the gathered protesters, "This is about race; he was murdered because he was white." Police have not alleged that Nowak's murder was racially motivated.

The crowd of protesters tried to enter the street where Digwa's family lived, but police blocked it off. Footage shows protesters throwing rocks, flares, bottles, beer cans and garbage cans at police.

Hampshire Police Chief Constable Alexis Boon said Wednesday that 11 officers and a police dog had been injured while doing their jobs "to protect the communities that we serve," The Guardian reported.

"What we, as a society, cannot accept is the violent scenes we saw in Southampton last night," he said. "Some clearly arrived intent on causing disorder and trouble. We saw bottles thrown, makeshift weapons used, damage caused to the homes and vehicles of innocent residents, and threats and violence directed towards our officers.

"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."

British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called it "completely unacceptable," The New York Times reported.

"There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder," Mahmood said in a statement. "Those responsible can expect to face the full force of the law."

Residents said they were frightened as protesters gathered near their homes.

Sophie Martin, a neighbor of the Digwa family, told The Guardian that both of their families' cars were smashed up.

"It was absolutely terrifying," she said. "Our two young boys were asleep. It is just an absolute destruction, and I just thought, 'What am I going to tell the kids?' They're 3 and 6. It was absolutely petrifying. I know they weren't targeting us but my other half has decided not to go to work today.

"There is glass absolutely everywhere. We are going to be massively out of pocket. Even when the rioting had stopped and we had taped up the cars, we still couldn't sleep because we were worried they would come back. A few people have said we should move out for a bit."

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 3:58 PM.