Officers face misconduct meeting over attacks probe

Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar were stabbed to death on 13 June 2023

Three officers will face a misconduct meeting over a police force's response to alleged assaults by a man who went on to kill three people weeks later.

Valdo Calocane started working in a warehouse in Leicestershire about five weeks before he stabbed to death Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates in Nottingham on 13 June 2023.

He was accused of attacking two employees, and Calocane had reportedly been escorted off-site by security before police arrived.

Leicestershire Police said following the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) report into its investigation, two police constables and a sergeant would face misconduct proceedings, scheduled for this month.

The victims' families met the prime minister, who last week confirmed a judge-led public inquiry would take place into the case

Deputy Chief Constable David Sandall said: "We express our sincere condolences to the families of Ian Coates, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, and our thoughts and sympathies continue to remain with them.

"Following the IOPC's report in relation to this investigation, we have carefully analysed the detailed findings and directions. In line with this, a misconduct meeting will take place in force with three Leicestershire police officers – two police constables and a sergeant."

The IOPC said it concluded its investigation into Leicestershire Police's handling of assault allegations against Calocane in September.

"Our report and findings were shared with all of the interested parties including the families of Ian Coates, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber," a spokesperson added.

"We have advised the families and the force that we intend to publish our investigation report and findings following the conclusion of proceedings. We are unable to comment further at present."

Valdo Calocane was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia before the attacks

Details about the alleged assaults were only made public when Calocane was sentenced in January 2024, after admitting three counts of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility and three counts of attempted murder.

The IOPC previously said it was "unaware of" several incidents involving previous police contact with Calocane.

Leicestershire Police then referred itself to the IOPC.

Nottingham Crown Court was told the assaults were alleged to have happened on 5 May, at the warehouse belonging to Arvato Supply Chain Solutions, where Calocane had started working four days before.

The IOPC had said its investigation would consider the actions and decisions of Leicestershire Police, focusing on its response to the alleged assaults.

It is one of a number of reviews that were prompted by the case, which resulted in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announcing a judge-led public inquiry last week.

The IOPC's comments come after The Sun newspaper said it had obtained the watchdog's report, which the BBC has not seen.

'Deeply unhappy'

Following publication of The Sun story, the victims' families, in a statement, said: "Once more we have been let down.

"We are limited in what we can say by the terms of an NDA [non-disclosure agreement].

"What we can say is that we are aware of the details contained within the IOPC investigation.

"We can confirm we are deeply unhappy and believe it to be of very poor quality.

"Thank god that the statutory public inquiry has been confirmed. We put our trust in the truth finally being found out.

"The police force in question and watchdog supposed to hold them to account are not fit for purpose."