The death of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student from Birmingham, has ignited nationwide protests after bodycam footage revealed officers used restraint techniques that exceeded guidelines during his arrest last Thursday.
Nowak was taken into custody at 2:47 a.m. near Birmingham’s New Street Station after reports of a disturbance. Police bodycam footage, obtained exclusively by this newspaper, shows officers deploying a restraint hold for over four minutes despite Nowak pleading for air and shouting, “I can’t breathe.”
Key Points
- ✅ Bodycam footage confirms excessive restraint
- ⚡ Nowak was detained for a non-violent disturbance
- 💡 Family demands independent inquiry into his death
At 3:12 a.m., Nowak became unresponsive. Paramedics arrived within six minutes but were unable to revive him. An initial autopsy report, shared with authorities today, indicates his death was caused by positional asphyxia compounded by pre-existing respiratory conditions.
| Incident Timeline | Time | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Police called | 2:30 a.m. | Disturbance reported near New Street Station |
| Arrest initiated | 2:47 a.m. | Officers deployed restraint hold |
| Paramedics called | 3:12 a.m. | Nowak unresponsive |
| Death declared | 3:24 a.m. | Officially pronounced dead at scene |
West Midlands Police has launched an internal review but faces immediate calls to hand the investigation to an independent body. Local MP Sarah Whitmore has demanded the Home Office intervene, citing “a pattern of excessive force complaints” in the region.
💡 Pro Tip
Families of detainees should request bodycam footage within 48 hours of an incident. Delays can compromise evidence and obstruct justice.
Civil rights groups say Nowak’s case mirrors other high-profile restraint deaths, including that of 24-year-old Alex Okoye in 2022, whose family secured a £1.2 million settlement after a wrongful death lawsuit. Lawyers for Nowak’s family have filed a civil claim and are pushing for criminal charges against the officers involved.
- 📊 Nowak’s case marks the 12th restraint-related death in UK police custody this year
- 🔍 Independent reviewers have flagged “systemic deficiencies” in officer training nationwide
- ⚠️ Police guidelines state restraint holds should not exceed 90 seconds for vulnerable detainees
In response to public pressure, West Midlands Police has temporarily suspended three officers pending the outcome of the investigation. The force has also pledged to review its use-of-force policies by May 15, ahead of a scheduled meeting with the Independent Office for Police Conduct next week.
📋 By The Numbers
- 4 minutes 17 seconds — Time officers held restraint on Nowak
- 12 — Restraint-related deaths in UK police custody in 2024
- £1.2 million — Largest settlement in a similar restraint death case in 2022
Nowak’s mother, Linda Nowak, told this newspaper, “They took my son’s life over a noise complaint. I want every officer involved fired and prosecuted. I want change so no other family has to live this.” His father, Tomasz Nowak, added, “They knew he had asthma. They ignored it. That’s murder.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has confirmed it is reviewing the bodycam footage and will decide by April 10 whether to pursue criminal charges. Meanwhile, protests are scheduled in Birmingham, London, and Manchester this weekend, with organisers demanding the immediate resignation of West Midlands Police Chief Constable David Thompson.