Nottingham Attacks: Killer Attempted to Surrender to MI5, Inquiry Hears

Valdo Calocane, who fatally stabbed three people in Nottingham in June 2023, attempted to hand himself in to MI5 two years prior to the attacks, an inquiry has revealed. Calocane pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and is currently detained indefinitely at a high-security hospital.

Attempt to Contact MI5

In May 2021, Calocane traveled to the headquarters of MI5 at Thames House in central London, where he attempted to surrender himself to the security service. He informed security personnel that he wanted to be arrested and speak with the police, according to testimony given at the inquiry.

PC Graham Foster, who confronted Calocane outside the building, told the inquiry he chose to “build a rapport” with Calocane, believing it would be the best approach to gather further information. He described Calocane as “calm, compliant, and coherent.”

Intelligence Assessment and Police Response

The Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC), a unit responsible for examining threats from fixated individuals, assessed Calocane following his visit to Thames House. Yet, the FTAC determined that he did not meet the threshold for further assessment.

An intelligence report from the FTAC regarding Calocane’s visit was passed to Nottinghamshire Police on June 1, 2021. However, the force did not conduct its own assessment at that time. Supt Lorraine Busby-McVey of the Metropolitan Police stated that she “would have quite liked” an assessment to have been carried out.

Busby-McVey also noted that the report was not readily available to all officers within the Nottinghamshire Police force. She indicated that a new system to improve information sharing between police forces has since been implemented.

Prior Reports of Concerning Behavior

The inquiry also heard testimony from Calocane’s former flatmate, identified only as Sebastian, who reported incidents of concerning behavior to Nottinghamshire Police. Sebastian stated that Calocane had physically accosted him in their flat, grabbing his shirt and arm and pushing him against a wall while making “confusing words.” Calocane allegedly told Sebastian that if anyone contacted him, he should advise them that “VC would locate them.”

Sebastian reported the incident to the police, who informed him that a report would be filed and flagged to an unspecified agency. He also reported suspicions that Calocane was stalking him and attempting to enter his bedroom at night. Despite these reports, Sebastian stated he did not receive a response when he reported Calocane’s attempts to enter his room, which he found “remarkably surprising” and “weird.”

Upon learning of the Nottingham attacks, Sebastian said he immediately suspected Calocane as the perpetrator, even before his identity was officially confirmed.

The 2023 Attacks

On June 13, 2023, Valdo Calocane fatally stabbed Barnaby Webber, 19, and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, 19, and Ian Coates, 65, during a series of attacks in Nottingham. Three others were also seriously injured.

The inquiry continues.