Over a thousand protesters gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station following the release of bodycam footage showing the arrest of Henry Novak in the moments before he died. The footage revealed that Novak told officers four times that he had been stabbed and nine times that he could not breathe, yet was still handcuffed and arrested.
The protest, which began at the police station and later moved to Portswood Police Station near where Novak was killed, saw demonstrators chanting shame on you at officers who had formed a human barrier on the station steps. One arrest was made during the demonstration after tensions escalated and bins were set on fire.
The distressing bodycam footage showed that the last words Henry Novak heard were police officers reading out his rights as he lay dying from stab wounds. Protesters and members of the public described being brought to tears and broken by the footage, which has sparked nationwide outrage over the police handling of the incident.
One of the four police officers involved in the arrest has since resigned while the other three remain on frontline duty. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the case, with serious questions raised about how accusations of racism may have informed decision-making during the arrest.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch both condemned Reform leader Nigel Farage, saying he was responsible for stirring up division and rage over the case. Novak's father had previously called for his son's story to bring about change for the better and cause no further division.
White roses were left in front of the police station alongside cards from protesters expressing despair and sadness at the tragic loss of such a young life. Many who attended said they came solely to show support for Novak's family and to seek justice, not to cause disorder.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called the scenes unacceptable, stating there is no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder. She warned that those responsible for violence can expect to face the full force of the law. Further demonstrations are expected in the coming days as public anger over the case continues to grow.