Sikh Federation challenges Home Office focus on kirpan after Henry Nowak’s murder

Crime · First reported 8 Nov, 15:24 · Updated 19:37

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The Sikh Federation says the Home Office’s consideration of knife laws risks diverting attention from alleged police failings after Henry Nowak’s killing. The Home Office says an independent review will examine whether opportunities were missed.

The Sikh Federation says the murder weapon was not a kirpan and argues that attention should instead be paid to possible police and government-agency failings.
The Home Secretary said she had not ruled out changes to knife laws, while the Home Office announced a rapid independent review of the circumstances surrounding the murder.
The Court of Appeal increased Vickrum Digwa’s minimum prison term from 21 to 25 years; a police watchdog investigation into potential response failures is expected to conclude early next year.

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Key facts

Age: Henry Nowak was 18.
Murder date and place: He was stabbed in Southampton on 3 December.
Minimum prison term: Digwa’s minimum term was increased from 21 to 25 years.
Police investigation: Two officers were under investigation for potential gross misconduct; the watchdog expected its investigation to conclude early next year.
Home Office review: The Home Office said a rapid independent review would examine the circumstances of the murder, including whether opportunities were missed.