Six additional people have been charged with violent disorder following riots in Southampton that erupted after the sentencing of a man convicted of murdering 18-year-old Henry Nowak. The latest charges bring the total number of individuals charged in connection with the unrest to 11, as police continue investigations into the violence that spread across parts of the city earlier this week.
According to Hampshire Constabulary, Kevin Reeves, 31, from Portswood Road in Southampton; Andrew Riddett, 38, from Seacombe Green; Harry Varney, 34, from Briarswood; Taylor Grundy, 22, from Pavilion Way in Gosport; and Dillon Crawford, 29, from Wilton Avenue, Southampton, have all been charged with violent disorder.
In addition, Andrew Summerhayes, 38, of Banning Street in Romsey, has been charged with violent disorder alongside two counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. All six defendants were scheduled to appear before Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning.
Riots Follow Sentencing in Henry Nowak Murder Case
The charges stem from large-scale disorder that broke out in Southampton following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa, 23, who was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of university student Henry Nowak.
Public anger intensified after police body-worn camera footage emerged showing Nowak being handcuffed shortly before he lost consciousness and later died. The release of the footage triggered widespread criticism online and fuelled emotional demonstrations outside Southampton’s central police station.
The protest initially began peacefully, with crowds gathering to demand accountability and transparency surrounding the police response during the incident involving Nowak. However, tensions escalated later in the evening when hundreds of demonstrators marched through Southampton toward the neighbourhood where Digwa lived and where the fatal stabbing occurred.
By the following morning, multiple vehicles had been damaged, car windows smashed, and roads littered with bricks and debris. Police confirmed that officers were deployed throughout the night to contain the violence and prevent further escalation.
Police Officers Injured During Violent Disorder
The Chief Constable of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Alexis Boon, confirmed that 11 police officers and one police dog sustained injuries while responding to the unrest.
Speaking after the disturbances, Boon said officers had acted to protect local communities amid rapidly deteriorating conditions on the streets.
Authorities have since increased police presence across Southampton while investigators continue reviewing CCTV footage, social media material, and witness statements to identify additional suspects involved in the violence.
Law enforcement officials have stressed that criminal behaviour during demonstrations will not be tolerated, regardless of the political or emotional context surrounding the protests.
Political Tensions Rise Following Release of Bodycam Footage
The death of Henry Nowak has sparked wider political debate and intensified discussions around policing, public trust, and community tensions in the UK.
During the demonstrations, crowds gathered outside the police station carrying Union flags and homemade placards bearing slogans including “Justice for Henry Nowak,” “Racist police, off our streets,” and “Shame on you.”
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was among those who addressed demonstrators during the protest. His appearance drew significant media attention as concerns mounted over attempts by political extremists to exploit public anger surrounding the case.
The unrest further escalated after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage publicly criticised the police response and said the footage had generated “pure, cold rage” among members of the public. Farage argued that the treatment of Nowak reflected broader concerns about policing standards and fairness.
However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged restraint and warned against allowing the tragedy to become a source of division within communities.
Addressing the House of Commons, Starmer referenced comments made by Henry Nowak’s father, Mark Nowak, who had appealed for calm following his son’s death.
“I think those words have resonated with people across the country,” Starmer told MPs. “We must not allow this tragedy to be hijacked by anyone who seeks to divide us.”
Family Calls for Justice Without Division
Following Digwa’s sentencing, Henry Nowak’s father publicly condemned what he described as the “inhumane and degrading” treatment of his son by police officers during the incident.
At the same time, he appealed for unity and urged people not to use the case to fuel hatred or social division.
“We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension,” he said. “We want his story to help make our streets safer for everyone.”
The statement has been widely cited by political leaders and community representatives seeking to reduce tensions in Southampton following the riots.
Murder Case and Public Reaction
Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student at the University of Southampton, died after being stabbed five times by Vickrum Digwa in December.
During the incident, police officers arrested and handcuffed Nowak after Digwa alleged that he had been racially abused and assaulted. Subsequent bodycam footage showing the moments before Nowak became unconscious triggered widespread criticism online and intensified scrutiny of police conduct.
The case has since become a flashpoint in broader national debates concerning policing, race relations, public accountability, and political extremism.
Authorities continue to investigate the disorder linked to the protests, with further arrests and charges possible in the coming days.
Police leaders have meanwhile urged the public to allow the criminal justice process to proceed without further violence or intimidation, warning that those involved in riot-related offences could face serious legal consequences.