Nottingham Attacks Inquiry Reveals Systemic Failures in Killer’s Case

A public inquiry into the June 2023 Nottingham attacks, where Valdo Calocane killed three people and injured three others, has revealed significant failures in the response of police and mental health services. The inquiry, ongoing as of February 26, 2026, has highlighted issues ranging from a delayed warrant execution to concerns about how mental health assessments were conducted.

Delayed Arrest Warrant and Missed Opportunities

Police failed to execute an arrest warrant issued in September 2022 for Calocane, more than nine months before the fatal attacks. The warrant stemmed from an accusation of assaulting an emergency worker, and Calocane’s failure to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court triggered its issuance Sky News. Further compounding the issue, Calocane assaulted two colleagues at a factory in Kegworth, Leicestershire, a month before the attacks, but was not arrested by Leicestershire Police Sky News.

Tim Moloney KC, representing the families of the victims, stated that any claim by police that arresting Calocane wouldn’t have made a difference would be “cowardly, highly offensive and insulting” Sky News. John Beggs KC, representing Nottinghamshire Police, acknowledged the force should have executed the warrant in a “timely manner” but “they failed to do so at all” Sky News.

Mental Health Assessment Concerns

The inquiry has also examined the mental health assessment conducted after a violent incident in May 2020, where Calocane was arrested for repeatedly kicking and punching a door in his student accommodation The Guardian. A neighbor had to restrain Calocane before police arrived The Guardian. The assessment concluded Calocane was experiencing a first episode of psychosis, attributed to sleep deprivation and exam-related stress The Guardian.

Notably, mental health professionals decided not to detain Calocane after considering research addressing the over-representation of young Black men in detention The Guardian. Calocane, who has paranoid schizophrenia, fatally stabbed Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates, and severely injured three others on June 13, 2023 The Guardian.

University’s Concerns About Expulsion

The University of Nottingham reportedly feared expelling Calocane, as it was believed this could have caused him further stress BBC News. This detail emerged during the inquiry, adding another layer to the complex circumstances surrounding the case.

Ongoing Inquiry and Future Implications

The public inquiry, which began on February 22, 2026, aims to assess the events, acts, and omissions that allowed Calocane to be free to commit the crimes and to determine how similar tragedies can be prevented in the future. The inquiry is expected to continue for several months, with further details emerging as evidence is presented.