UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned violent protests in Southampton over the handling of the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak. Speaking on Wednesday, Starmer described the unrest as "disgraceful" and expressed solidarity with police officers who faced attacks during the demonstrations.
Hampshire Police reported that 11 officers and a police dog were injured in the clashes that erupted on Tuesday evening. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the disorder.
The protests were sparked by anger over the case of Henry Nowak, who was stabbed to death by Vickrum Digwa in December. Critics have alleged that the justice system mishandled the case, leading to public outcry.
Starmer emphasized that while peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy, violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated. The government is monitoring the situation closely as investigations continue.