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Southampton residents in shock after night of ‘terrifying’ protest violence
TL;DR
Southampton experienced a night of violent protests following the murder of Henry Nowak, resulting in significant property damage. The demonstration escalated from a peaceful gathering to clashes with riot police as protesters attempted to reach the home of the suspect, Vickrum Digwa.
Key points
- Protests in Southampton turned violent over Henry Nowak's murder
- Demonstrators clashed with riot police near the suspect's home
- Residents reported feeling terrified after the protests
Mentioned in this story
Henry NowakVickrum DigwaSouthampton
A trail of destruction was left on the streets of Southampton after Tuesday night’s anti-police protest over Henry Nowak’s murder, with car windows smashed and bricks strewn across roads.
The demonstration began relatively peacefully outside Southampton central police station but turned ugly when hundreds marched across the city to the neighbourhood where Nowak died and where his killer, Vickrum Digwa, lived.
Protesters hurled bricks, wheelie bins, bottles and beer cans at riot police as officers in riot gear stopped them reaching Digwa’s family home.
On Wednesday, residents in the Portswood area said they were terrified as protesters gathered near their homes.
People help to clean up the aftermath of the riots on St Deny’s Road in Southampton. Photograph: Andrew Croft/Solent News & Photo Agency/Solent News
Sophie Martin, who is a near neighbour of the Digwa family, saidboth of their families’ cars were smashed up.
She said: “It was absolutely terrifying. 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 three and six.
“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.’”
The far-right activist Tommy Robinson was among those who addressed crowds outside the police station during the protest billed as “Justice for Henry Nowak”.
Q&A
What caused the violent protests in Southampton?
The protests were sparked by the murder of Henry Nowak and escalated as demonstrators sought to confront the suspect's family.
What damage occurred during the Southampton protests?
Protesters smashed car windows and left bricks strewn across roads, causing significant destruction in the city.
Who is Vickrum Digwa in relation to the Southampton protests?
Vickrum Digwa is the suspect in the murder of Henry Nowak, and protesters aimed to reach his family home during the demonstration.
