Vigil to be held in Bolton for murdered student Henry Nowak

Bolton Council has confirmed the gathering will take place at the Samuel Crompton statue in Nelson Square on Sunday at 5pm.

Posters promoting the event describe it as “not a political event” and call for a “sober and respectful gathering”, urging people to “come together in peace and unity”.

(Image: Newsquest)

Henry, an 18-year-old first-year university student from Saffron Walden, Essex, was killed as he walked back from a night out in Southampton on December 3, 2025.

The teenager suffered stab wounds to his legs and a fatal wound to his heart from a 21cm (8in) blade during the attack.

His killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, falsely claimed to police at the scene that he had been the victim of a racist attack.

As a result, officers initially handcuffed Mr Nowak before discovering his fatal injuries a short time later.

Digwa claimed he was carrying the knife as part of his Sikh faith.

He was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum term of 21 years.

Footage released by the force, with permission from Nowak’s family, shows him pleading, ‘I’ve been stabbed,’ and an officer replying, ‘I don’t think you have mate’.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed that an investigation into Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s actions remains ongoing.

Organisers of Sunday’s vigil say the event is intended as a peaceful opportunity for members of the community to pay their respects and remember Mr Nowak.