The police watchdog has re-opened the probe into previous assaults by Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane following representations from the victims’ families.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) previously prepared a report which concluded that officers failed to properly investigate an assault on warehouse workers by Calocane which could have stopped his murder spree a month later.
Students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and 65-year-old caretaker Ian Coates were killed by Calocane in June 2023.
On Friday, the IOPC said it will reinvestigate whether Calocane’s previous history and an outstanding arrest warrant were seen by officers before the investigation was closed down.
A statement from the IOPC reads: ‘We have made our decision after the force provided new evidence, which had not previously been available to the IOPC.
‘This followed representations by the bereaved families which led to further enquiries with Leicestershire Police.
‘Our investigation into Leicestershire Police’s handling of the assault allegations against Calocane concluded in September last year (2024). As a result, three officers were due to face a misconduct meeting, which the force postponed.
‘We will be reinvestigating whether information in relation to Calocane’s previous history and an outstanding warrant for his arrest was seen by the officers before the investigation was closed down.’
Grace and fellow University of Nottingham student Barnaby Webber, both 19, were killed by Calocane
Calocane then stabbed Ian Coates (pictured) to death and stole his van. He mowed down three pedestrians but they all survived
Paranoid schizophrenic Calocane was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after admitting manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder
Calocane pictured when he shared a student flat in the city last year
IOPC Director Derrick Campbell said: ‘Our sympathies remain with the families of Ian, Barnaby and Grace. We have received a number of representations from them, and we have responded as soon as we were in a position to provide the additional details requested.
‘This is consistent with our policy to share evidence with interested parties so they can effectively participate in our investigations. ‘For a matter to be reopened by the IOPC it has to meet one or more criteria including significant new information coming to light that requires further investigation.
‘That applies in this case and after careful consideration of this new information we are carrying out further enquiries in respect of what officers actually saw on police systems about Calocane, and in particular an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Those who are closely impacted by our decision, including the bereaved families and the officers involved, have been notified and we will complete this work as quickly as possible.
‘Any decision on the disciplinary outcome of our investigation will only be made once the new evidence and the results of these enquiries have been analysed.
‘Our Director General, Rachel Watson, has offered to meet with the families of Ian, Barnaby and Grace to discuss this development and any concerns they may have.’
