Public inquiry highlights major system failures
A major public inquiry into the Nottingham attacks has found serious failings in care, policing, and coordination before and after the incident.
The attacks took place on 13 June 2023, when Valdo Calocane killed three people and attempted to kill three others in Nottingham. He had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020 and was later placed under an indefinite hospital order after admitting manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and attempted murder.
The inquiry examined the case over 14 weeks and heard evidence from 164 witnesses.
Families say responsibility broke down
Families of the victims say the findings point to a deep failure in accountability. Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber, said the process was painful but necessary.
She said the system did not fail by chance. She described it as a serious collapse in responsibility and called for urgent action.
She also said communication from authorities lacked honesty and transparency.
The families now want a meeting with senior government officials within a month. They are also pushing for a fresh review of the findings and decisions linked to the case.
Legal concerns and government response
The families are exploring legal and political routes, although lawyers have said there is no direct legal path to change the current sentence.
Legal representatives said they may take concerns to senior government figures, including health and justice officials.
Government representatives said the inquiry is helping identify failures and will guide reforms. They added that the aim is to prevent similar tragedies involving people with serious mental health conditions.
Background to the Nottingham case
The inquiry revealed gaps in how agencies handled risk, mental health care, and communication between services. It also highlighted weaknesses in response after the attacks.
Calocane is serving his hospital order after the court accepted diminished responsibility due to his mental health condition. Survivors of the attack include Wayne Birkett, Sharon Miller, and Marcin Gawronski.
