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A Southampton investigation has resulted in murder and related charges after an 18-year-old student died during a night out near the city’s student district.
An 18-year-old university student died in Southampton last week after sustaining multiple stab wounds during an incident on Belmont Road in the Portswood area, a neighbourhood known for its nightlife and large student population.
Hampshire Constabulary confirmed that the student, Henry Nowak of Chafford Hundred in Essex, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 22-year-old local man has now been charged with murder, and a second individual is facing an assisting an offender charge.
The incident occurred late on Wednesday, drawing a significant emergency response and prompting appeals for information from the public.
The case has gained wide attention as universities across the UK continue to highlight safety issues affecting students living in urban areas.
The charges come amid ongoing national scrutiny of knife-related offences, which have remained a policy focus for police forces in England and Wales.
Under current law, possession of a bladed article in a public place is a criminal offence under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 and the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, both of which guide frontline enforcement and sentencing.
Hampshire Constabulary stated that 22-year-old Vickrum Digwa, of St Denys Road in Southampton, has been charged with murder and with possession of a bladed article.
Officers said the victim suffered a puncture wound to the chest and additional injuries to the leg. Police also confirmed that Kiran Kaur, 52, from the same road, has been charged with assisting an offender.
The area where the incident occurred, Portswood, is regularly patrolled due to its concentration of student housing.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that knife-enabled crime in England and Wales rose by 7% in the year ending June 2024, a trend forming part of wider operational planning for regional police forces.
Two other men arrested during the investigation have been released on bail while enquiries continue. One was previously questioned on suspicion of murder but is no longer under investigation for that offence.
The other was additionally arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and a public order offence.
The family of Henry Nowak released a statement through Hampshire Police describing him as a highly engaged first-year student studying accountancy and finance.
They noted he had joined two football teams and held part-time employment at a local supermarket. Such family statements are a routine part of major investigations when relatives choose to provide public information through the police.
The University of Southampton, which has more than 20,000 students, has signalled increased support for those affected, directing students to counselling services and safety information channels.
Local residents have also expressed concern, pointing to previous community-safety initiatives introduced by Southampton City Council to address late-night disorder in student districts.
The case highlights the ongoing debate around student safety in mixed residential areas.
Belmont Road and the wider Portswood corridor host a large proportion of Southampton’s student accommodation, similar to areas in other university cities where police and councils coordinate targeted patrols.
For many students, the incident raises practical concerns about night-time travel, access to well-lit routes, and the availability of licensed premises security.
The Home Office’s 2023 Serious Violence Duty, which requires local authorities, police and health services to collaborate on prevention strategies, forms part of the policy context in which such incidents are reviewed.
Comparable student-area safety reviews have followed cases in cities including Nottingham and Bristol, where local authorities implemented additional CCTV coverage, taxi partnerships and campus-to-home escort programmes.
According to the ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales, police recorded more than 50,000 knife-enabled offences in the year ending June 2024.
While regional patterns vary, urban centres with high night-time economies, including Southampton have reported fluctuations linked to alcohol consumption, transport routes and late-night venues.
The legal framework governing possession of knives in public is set by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, which strengthened restrictions on certain types of blades and introduced tougher sentencing guidelines.
The Sentencing Council also provides guidance for offences involving loss of life, which courts must consider when assessing aggravating or mitigating factors.
Hampshire Constabulary continues to encourage witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam footage or mobile recordings from the Belmont Road area on Wednesday night to submit evidence.
The force typically receives such material through its online portal or by contacting the non-emergency number 101.
Students and residents can access local safety guidance through Southampton City Council’s community safety pages, which outline reporting procedures, night-time transport links, and instructions for contacting support services.
Universities UK also maintains national advice on personal safety for students living away from home for the first time.
Both individuals charged are scheduled to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court. Under standard procedure for serious offences, the case is expected to be sent to a Crown Court for future hearings and potential trial scheduling.
Police continue to analyse forensic evidence, witness statements and digital material submitted by the public.
Further updates from the Crown Prosecution Service or Hampshire Constabulary will outline any procedural developments, including bail decisions and future hearing dates.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about knife-related violence in UK cities and the specific safety challenges faced by students living in busy residential districts.
It affects families, the university community and residents who share these neighbourhoods.
The case also highlights the importance of reporting routes, legal protections and coordinated prevention strategies.
Audiences will be watching for court developments and any subsequent policy discussions locally or nationally.
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