Government Launches Statutory Inquiry Into Deadly June 2023 Attacks by Valdo Calocane

The UK government has launched the Nottingham Attacks Inquiry, a statutory investigation into the tragic stabbing spree carried out by Valdo Calocane in June 2023 that left three people dead and three others injured. The inquiry officially began on May 22, 2025, and is chaired by Her Honour Deborah Taylor.

The attack claimed the lives of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates, while seriously injuring three pedestrians during Calocane’s escape through Nottingham.

Why the Inquiry Matters

The inquiry follows widespread public and political criticism of multiple agencies, including Nottinghamshire Police, NHS mental health services, and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), for missed opportunities to prevent the killings.

“The system failed our children,” said Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, father of Grace, in a post on X.

Emma Webber, Barnaby’s mother, called the inquiry “essential for accountability.”

The inquiry has statutory powers to compel testimony and evidence, ensuring that failings across the system are fully examined.

Inquiry Scope and Objectives

The terms of reference published on gov.uk outline a comprehensive investigation into:

• Risk Management: Calocane’s history of mental illness and treatment between 2019–2023.
• Timeline Review: Analysis of the attack events on June 13, 2023, including emergency response.
• Data Breaches: Examination of unauthorized access to Calocane’s records post-arrest.
• Agency Coordination: Failures in communication between police, NHS, and CPS.
• CPS Oversight: Decisions leading to a manslaughter conviction based on diminished responsibility.

The inquiry will report by 2027, with recommendations to prevent future tragedies and improve public safety.

What Happened in Nottingham

On the morning of 13 June 2023, Calocane stabbed University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and later murdered 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates to steal his van. He drove the van into three pedestrians before being apprehended.

Calocane was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility, sparking national debate over mental health failings and public protection.

Public and Government Reaction

The inquiry’s launch has received strong backing from bereaved families and political figures.

• Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood vowed a “fearless examination” of events.
• Minister Alex Davies-Jones stressed the importance of “supporting survivors and reforming systems.”
• Advocacy group Hundred Families reported over 2,300 mental health-related homicides in the UK since 1993, underscoring the urgency.

Looking Ahead: What the Inquiry Will Deliver

The inquiry, led by Judge Deborah Taylor, will focus on:

• Witness Testimony: Including NHS staff, police officers, CPS decision-makers, and family members.
• Reform Proposals: Recommendations expected by 2027 to improve risk assessment, mental health care, and public safety frameworks.
• Family Engagement: A priority focus on ensuring that the bereaved families help shape the inquiry.

Updates will be posted on the official Nottingham Attacks Inquiry website.

Broader Context

The inquiry mirrors other significant investigations such as the Manchester Arena Inquiry, and comes amid a Law Commission review of homicide law, particularly the use of diminished responsibility. It also aligns with the government’s wider Plan for Change to strengthen community and mental health safety systems.