State Department Slams U.K.’s ‘Two-Tiered Policing’ As Outrage Grows Over Henry Nowak Killing

On Thursday, the U.S. State Department sent a warning to the United Kingdom with regard to the tragic events in the death of Henry Nowak, warning against “two-tiered” policing.

“Ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing are glaring symptoms of civilizational decline. They must be rejected across the West,” the State Department wrote on X. “The United States sends our condolences to the family of Henry Nowak and the people of the United Kingdom at this troubling time.”

Ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing are glaring symptoms of civilizational decline. They must be rejected across the West.

The United States sends our condolences to the family of Henry Nowak and the people of the United Kingdom at this troubling time.

— Department of State (@StateDept) June 4, 2026

Henry Nowak, 18, a first-generation university student studying accounting and finance at Southampton University, was walking home alone after a night out on December 3, 2025, when he crossed paths with Vickrum Digwa, 23, a Sikh man who was carrying a large ceremonial dagger on his belt. There was a brief exchange in which Nowak asked if Digwa was “a bad man” after noticing the visible blade. The exchange then escalated into a confrontation, and Digwa stabbed Nowak four times, including once through the chest, piercing his lung. Over two pints of blood pooled in Nowak’s chest cavity.

After the attack, Digwa told police that Nowak had racially abused him and that he had acted in self-defense. Officers arrived to find Nowak on the ground. “I’ve been stabbed,” Nowak told them. “I don’t think you have, mate,” an officer replied. He was handcuffed, read his rights, and informed he was under arrest for assault. He lost consciousness shortly after. First responders attempted CPR, but he was pronounced dead at 12:37 a.m.

At trial, the jury rejected Digwa’s self-defense and racism claims entirely. Sentencing Judge William Mousley was scathing, calling Digwa’s story “wicked lies” and finding that Nowak had said nothing racist. Digwa filmed Nowak as he lay dying, directed his mother to remove the murder weapon from the scene, and whispered to his brother in a police van — unaware they were being recorded — that he had stabbed Henry three times and that self-defense would fall apart if cameras existed in the area. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years.

Nowak’s father, Mark, said his son “did not die with dignity” — that he was treated as a criminal while his killer was believed on the spot.

Body camera footage released after the conviction confirmed the family’s account. Within days, hundreds of protesters gathered outside a Southampton police station, chanting “I can’t breathe” and carrying photographs of Nowak. Riot police blocked streets. Objects were thrown. Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage called the killing evidence of “two-tiered” policing, and Elon Musk amplified the case globally. Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the footage raised “serious questions.”