Published: 25 March 2026
The public inquiry into the 2023 Nottingham attacks has heard deeply emotional and critical testimony from the families of the victims, highlighting alleged failures across multiple institutions.
Families Raise Serious Concerns
The parents of 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, along with the family of Ian Coates, addressed the inquiry with powerful statements.
Grace’s parents expressed shock and frustration that their daughter and Barnaby were tested for drugs and alcohol, while no toxicology samples were taken from their killer, Valdo Calocane. They described this as an “enormous gap” in the investigation.
They also pointed to what they called “significant failures” in medical and psychiatric assessments, arguing that key details about the attacker’s condition and history were either missing or inadequately explored.
Criticism of Police and Institutions
Barnaby Webber’s father strongly criticised authorities, calling suggestions that earlier police action would not have changed the outcome “offensive.” It was revealed that Calocane had an outstanding arrest warrant for nine months prior to the attacks.
Families also raised concerns about:
- Poor communication from police
- Delays in sharing critical information
- Inappropriate comments made by officers in internal messages
- Lack of transparency from both police and healthcare services
Grace’s parents went further, stating that “not a single institution involved” had fulfilled its responsibilities adequately.
Emotional Testimonies
The inquiry heard heartbreaking personal accounts from families:
- Grace’s father described her as “the love of my life” and spoke of the future she was denied.
- Ian Coates’ family shared how they learned about his death through social media before being formally informed.
- His partner said discovering the truth hours later felt like he had been “killed twice.”
Families repeatedly described feelings of grief, anger, and betrayal, particularly following the sentencing hearing, which some said felt “surreal” and incomplete.
Concerns Over Mental Health Oversight
A major focus of the inquiry has been the handling of Calocane’s mental health. Families questioned:
- Why warning signs were not acted upon
- Why psychiatric assessments lacked depth
- Why key witnesses were not consulted
They argued that failures in mental health management may have played a crucial role in the tragedy.
Inquiry Scope and Next Steps
The Nottingham Inquiry aims to conduct a full and independent investigation into:
- Events leading up to the attacks
- Actions of police and emergency services
- Management of the attacker’s mental health
- Institutional accountability
The goal is to identify lessons and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Conclusion
The testimonies presented at the inquiry paint a troubling picture of systemic failures and missed opportunities. As the investigation continues, the families of the victims remain united in their pursuit of truth, accountability, and justice.
