Full scope of public inquiry into Nottingham attacks set out

The Lord Chancellor has today published the full Terms of Reference for the public inquiry into the devastating Nottingham attacks in June 2023. 

Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, were tragically killed and Wayne Birkett, Sharon Miller and Marcin Gawronski were seriously injured by Valdo Calocane in brutal assaults carried out in the city. 

The inquiry will look at a broad range of areas in connection with the attacks, including 

• The management of Valdo Calocane’s risk to others in the lead up to the attacks; 

• A detailed examination of events on the day of the attacks – including the response of the emergency services; and  

• A timeline of incidents of unauthorised accessing of information by public servants.  

The Lord Chancellor has consulted on the Terms of Reference with the Inquiry Chair, Her Honour Deborah Taylor, who in turn has engaged with the survivors and bereaved families to ensure their views have been taken into account. 

Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood said 

The bereaved families and survivors of the Nottingham Attacks, who have suffered so much, deserve to know how these horrific incidents were able to happen. 

I am pleased this Inquiry is now underway and I know Her Honour Deborah Taylor will undertake a fearless and thorough examination of the facts to prevent tragedies like this happening again. 

The statutory inquiry will undertake a thorough, independent assessment of the events that culminated in these brutal attacks and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents.  

It will have the power to examine all the agencies involved, including the Nottinghamshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service; compel witnesses, and establish the facts. The Prime Minister has committed that the inquiry should report within two years which the Lord Chancellor has reiterated today. 

Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Alex Davies-Jones, said 

My thoughts remain with the bereaved families and survivors of this terrible incident, who in the face of such tragedy, have consistently called for answers. . 

It is an important step for the bereaved families and survivors that this Inquiry is now underway, and I know the Inquiry Chair will ensure it reports without undue delay.

Further information

• With the terms of reference now published, the inquiry is underway in earnest. 
• The full terms of reference are available on gov.uk and will be available on the Inquiry’s website https//nottingham.independent-inquiry.uk/

• The Inquiry is publishing its website on 22 May which together with the terms of reference will include contact details and a video message from the Chair. 

• The Inquiry has been tasked with  

• Producing and reviewing a detailed timeline of Valdo Calocane’s interactions with public services and agencies. 

• Producing and reviewing a timeline of the sequence and timing of events on 13 June 2023 prior to his arrest. 

• Producing a timeline of the unauthorised access of case files and evidence following Valdo Calocane’s arrest. 

• Reviewing the understanding, assessment and management of the risk of Valdo Calocane to others and his risk of offending between 2019 and 13 June 2023. 

• Reviewing the effectiveness of national and local multi-agency working and information sharing. 

• Reviewing the adequacy and appropriateness of care and monitoring of Valdo Calocane including actions, policies and procedures, when Valdo Calocane was in police custody after arrest between 13 and17 June 2023. 

• Considering the Crown Prosecution Service’s handling of the case between 13 June 2023 and the commencement of the Sentencing hearing on 23 January 2024. 

• Providing recommendations to ensure lessons are learned and prevent similar attacks in the future. 

• There have been nine separate reviews into various elements of the Nottingham attacks including Valdo Calocane’s healthcare and the healthcare institution; actions by Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Police; and decisions of the CPS.  IOPC investigations into the actions of Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire police are ongoing. 

• The Law Commission is undertaking a review into homicide law and will consider the partial defence of diminished responsibility.