Residents today carried out a mass clear-up of the area, replacing windows and fence panels broken by the rioters who left a trail of destruction at the scene in Southampton, Hamps22:25, 03 Jun 2026Violent protesters brought terror to the streets during clashes with police near the site where Henry Nowak, 18, was fatally stabbed.‌Thugs hurled bricks, bottles and bins at officers on Tuesday night, sparking fury from residents in Southampton. Joseph Roberts, 22, said: “We’re all unanimous in our student house that it got too out of hand. It started out as a memorial for a student. People were turning up with flowers and some with balaclavas.”‌Other residents told of their horror at what they witnessed, including their homes and cars being smashed up. A woman, who asked not to be named as she works as a teacher, said: “People on our street were having bricks taken from their walls and the people who were slow getting their bins inside had their bins thrown or recycling like glass taken and thrown.‌“I came out when I saw men urinating against old people’s homes in the street and they said they didn’t care about the old people. The way the police treated Henry was appalling. But this is all going to be used as fuel for the far-right.”Eleven officers and a police dog were injured while stopping the mob from getting to the family home of Henry’s murderer Vickrum Digwa, 23. Two people were arrested. Police are now analysing camera footage, with further arrests expected.‌Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum 21-year term on Monday. The clashes came after Nigel Farage called on people to channel “pure, cold rage” and former EDL leader Tommy Robinson spoke at a rally in Southampton.A large crowd of protesters also gathered outside a police station in the city. It followed the release of police bodycam footage showed Henry being arrested and handcuffed as he bled to death.‌Residents were helpless as protesters, including some who chanted Henry’s name and “I can’t breathe”, attacked police. Scott Corsie, 38, watched as windows on both of his cars were smashed by projectiles, including bricks, aimed at police who were wearing riot gear.The dad-of-two was inside his house with his partner and their sons, aged just three and six. He feared thugs would target the house’s windows because they wrongly believed the house belonged to Henry’s killer due to the line of riot police outside.Mr Corsie said: “There were a lot of angry people. There was all sorts coming over – fences, flowerpots, plant pots, bins. There were bins being set on fire and pushed down the road.” His partner Sophie Martin said: “It was absolutely terrifying. It is just an absolute destruction.‌“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, but we won’t.”Residents today carried out a mass clear-up, replacing windows and fence panels broken by rioters. Among them was Rev Sera Rumble, from nearby St Denys Church.She said: “The destruction last night is not who we are as a community. We have been grieving for months. The expression of rage last night was not how we communicate how we feel. It was carnage.”‌Resident Ollie Banton, 22, also joined the clear-up. He said: “There need to be protests against the police. There was some incompetence that night but this has gone too far. People are trying to sow hatred and division. We’ve had neo-Nazis coming from out of town to stir things up.”Sam Cross, 21, a second year aerospace engineering student, added: “I’m not surprised it happened but I’m against it. They just wanted an excuse to riot and this was it. Henry’s own family said they didn’t want this to happen. I live around here and it’s not what you want happening.”‌Speaking at the scene of the riot, Satvir Kaur, Labour MP for Southampton Test, said: “It’s been really heartbreaking and heartwarming to spend the morning with local residents.“The clean-up operation this morning was absolutely phenomenal.” She added: “It was really sad to see hundreds of people from outside of our city coming into our city, clearly intent on causing huge disruption and violence purely to sow divisions and spread hatred.”Asked if she is worried there could be more trouble in the area, Ms Kaur said: “Yes. I’m talking to residents and that’s exactly what they’re saying to me right now. People are really terrified and people are really scared.”She added: “I’ve had reassurances from the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister that there’s an independent investigation happening. Let’s ensure that is done as quickly as possible, is fully resourced, thorough, and open and transparent because right now my community, this city, this country, needs to have faith and confidence in their local and national police force.”Darren Paffey, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, said: “Farage’s words about pure cold rage are absolutely grotesque.” Meanwhile, Hampshire Police Chief Constable Alexis Boon said: "We understand and appreciate as police officers that we are accountable for our actions.‌"What we ask, however, is that those actions are judged through fair and transparent processes. We as a society cannot accept is the violent scenes we saw in Southampton last night. Some clearly arrived intent on causing disorder and trouble."Defending the actions of his officers, he said: "I don't accept the term of two-tier policing, I don't recognise it. I see officers and staff out there day in day out working incredibly hard to deliver for all our communities. I just don't recognise the concept."‌CC Boon said Henry could not have been saved. He said: "I think the fundamental point is the pathologist in the court case and if people read the judgement from the judge is very clear that it is tragic and sad, but he could not be saved. It was just not survivable."That was the evidence presented at court. There is a whole range of circumstances in this case. I know why people see the footage and are extremely distraught. It is distressing footage. It is a tragedy to watch that footage and we have apologised for handcuffing and arresting Henry.‌"It is not for me to prejudge. It is a tragedy from start to finish. The whole incident. It is deeply distressing. It is very difficult to watch and I think anyone that says otherwise is not right."We found it emotionally impacted us as well. It is a tragedy. People in policing completely empathise with Henry's family. We completely understand why they are so upset and traumatised by what happened. We get it. We do understand why there is this reaction." He continued: "We are considering our policies and processes. Part of the investigation should draw out any learning or things we can do differently. I am clear we are sorry for handcuffing and arresting Henry, but I don't know if that is cutting through for people. We understand it and are genuinely sorry."CC Boon also admitted that Henry's murderer Vickrum Digwa was on their radar three years ago. He said Digwa had been reported to police three years prior to the murder for stealing items from his Gurdwara in Southampton, but no further action was taken on the investigation as it did not reach the appropriate threshold.Article continues belowHe added: "There was a case, but it resulted in no further action as it did not meet the evidential threshold at the time. It wouldn't have been one of those cases that put him into a serious dangerous offender category that would have led to tracking. But fundamentally these are all circumstances that will be looked at and reviewed."