An inspection into how a police force responds to violent incidents has been launched in the wake of Henry Nowak’s murder.

The 18-year-old student was stabbed in Southampton by Vickrum Digwa, who lied to police and insisted he had been the victim of a racist attack.

Hampshire Police officers initially arrested Nowak and placed him in handcuffs as he lay dying.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service (HMICFRS) will assess the force’s processes, training and how officers are supported to make sound and impartial judgements.

The inspection was requested by Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, who said the public “must have confidence” in the force.

“This inspection will provide an independent assessment of the force’s training, processes and culture, including the handling of allegations of racially aggravated assault,” she said.

“Henry’s family deserve answers, and the public deserve reassurance that their police service is equipped to recognise victims and provide the highest standard of care when it matters most.”

Nowak, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was a first-year student at the University of Southampton at the time of his death.

Digwa was jailed for life in June with a minimum term of 21 years, after the judge rejected his claims of self-defence.

Previously released video of Nowak in handcuffs caused national outrage and sparked violent disorder in Southampton.

The case has since led to national debates over policing, race and knife laws.

Inspectors will assess the end-to-end process of a police response through the control room, including call handling, dispatch and initial attendance at incidents of serious violence.

It will also examine decision-making and risk assessment training, focussing on how officers are helped to make bias-free decisions and identify where immediate action like first aid is required.

Jones said: “The public must have confidence that police officers receive the right information, the right training and the right support to make critical decisions.”

The inspection will not examine the conduct or actions of officers who responded to the 3 December incident involving Nowak, which is subject to a separate investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The Commissioner’s office said the scope of the review had been carefully designed to avoid interfering with other judicial or conduct processes.