Families of Nottingham attack victims back decision to put police into ‘special measures’

The families of those killed in the Nottingham attacks have supported the decision to put Nottinghamshire Police into special measures.

The police force has been put on notice by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) after inspecting it between the end of 2023 and January 2024, reports Nottinghamshire Live.

The inspectorate has found that Nottinghamshire Police does not have adequate processes, planning or governance arrangements in place to monitor performance or identify improvement as required.

It will now have to improve the way in which “it manages and carries out effective investigations to make sure that victims get the support which they need.”

The force has previously been criticised by the families during the investigation into the deaths of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates after it was revealed that killer Valdo Calocane had a nine month outstanding arrest warrant during the time of the attacks.

University of Nottingham first year students Barnaby and Grace both 19 years old, were fatally stabbed in the early hours of the morning on June 13th 2023 on Ilkeston Road.

Police then found the body of 65-year-old caretaker Ian on Magdala Road.

The families of Barnaby, Grace and Ian have welcomed the intervention from the inspectorate after being critical of the force’s conduct before and after the attacks.

In a statement made by the families they said: “As families we have been very clear in the concerns we have raised regarding the Nottinghamshire Police force. Not only in the investigation itself into the murder of our loved ones, but also in the failures, missed opportunities, lessons and poor communication before, during and after.

“Our criticisms are aimed at the leadership of both forced and also the management and failures of the SIO in the Nottingham force in charge of our case. We welcome the news today that the HMICFRS recognise that Nottinghamshire Police requires intervention and urgent improvement and that they have effectively been placed into “special measures”.

“We hope this gives the residents of Nottingham more reassurance in their public safety.”

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is also currently conducting an investigation into the actions of the police in relation to Calocane and following complaints from the victim’s families it is also considering the actions of Leicestershire Police.

Previously it was revealed that police officiers have been disciplined after sending “crude and distasteful” messaged over a group chat and accessing information relating to the investigation. It also came to light that one officer was let go after watching bodycam footage of the victims being treated on the scene of the attack.

In its next inspection report, due to be published later this year, the inspectorate has stated that more detail surrounding Nottinghamshire Police’s performance would be published.

Feature Image via Nottinghamshire Live 

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