Dad of Nottingham attacks victim has 'no confidence' in Nottinghamshire Police commissioner

Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry has been criticised by the families of those killed by Valdo Calocane, 32, in the Nottingham attacks on June 13, 2023

The father of one of the Nottingham attacks victims says he has "no confidence" that Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry will be able to hold Nottinghamshire Police accountable for its failings. The Police and Crime Commissioner, whose role exists in part to monitor the performance of the police force, has been criticised by the families of those killed by Valdo Calocane, 32, in the Nottingham attacks on June 13, 2023.

Calocane killed University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, before stabbing 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates to death and using his stolen van to attempt to kill three more people. Following Calocane's sentencing to an indefinite hospital order on January 15, his victims' relatives have slammed public agencies like Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust, and the Crown Prosecution Service, as more and more missed opportunities and failings related to the case emerge.

Dr Sanjoy Kumar, father of killed student Grace, has now informed Nottinghamshire's Police and Crime Commissioner that the families of the victims doubt whether she will hold the force to account over its conduct. "I personally have no confidence [in] your handling of this hideous atrocity in the city of Nottingham and I wonder if the citizens of Nottingham do either," Dr Kumar told the PCC in an email.

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The heartbroken dad questioned why the PCC had not been in contact with the families for more than a month, despite revelations over the appalling conduct of police officers who viewed and accessed information about the attacks and Nottinghamshire Police being put into special measures by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. He also claimed Mrs Henry should have referred the force to IOPC over its failures, rather than referring it to the College of Policing.

Dr Kumar added: "Your actions and concern for us has been substantially more than disappointing to date. With respect to the matters stated above, I will be asking the Home Office for alternatives to your accountability in Nottingham."

Nottinghamshire Police are currently being investigated by IOPC for their handling of the investigation following Calocane's stabbings, its previous interactions with the killer, and its failure to catch him during a nine-month period when he was subject to an arrest warrant. Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said this investigation, along with the College of Policing's review, would hold the force and Chief Constable Kate Meynell to account.

“I received correspondence from Dr Kumar outlining some concerns and I have responded to him in a private letter," Mrs Henry said. "As the public’s representative to policing in Nottinghamshire, I am taking unprecedented action by commissioning the national College of Policing to deliver an independent review.

“I do this to hold the Chief Constable to account, to ensure we identify lessons learnt and to provide the necessary answers for all residents, especially those so tragically affected by this horrific event.

“The IOPC investigation and the College review mean that all of the concerns that have been highlighted are now being looked into by two independent bodies and both sets of findings will be made public in due course."

The PCC, who after the attacks spoke at a vigil for the victims in Old Market Square, added: "My heartfelt sympathies remain with the families of those affected by this terrible tragedy. I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish they are continuing to live through right now.

“This was an unprecedented attack and I can completely understand that the natural desire to search for answers must feel like it is not being met quickly enough and is adding to the pain victims and families are going through."

Earlier this week Nottinghamshire Police was told to “urgently produce an improvement plan” by HMICFRS inspectors, who raised significant concerns over its performance. Mrs Henry said she was "disappointed" the force had been placed under enhanced monitoring.