Nottingham attacks: Two survivors rally for support ahead of inquiry
Two of the three survivors of the 2023 Nottingham attacks have welcomed the publication of the Terms of Reference that will shape the upcoming Nottingham inquiry.
Wayne Birkett and Sharon Miller were both seriously injured in the attack which left them with life-changing injuries.
Today they have written to a group of Nottingham MPs and the Mayor to ask for a meeting to discuss how they can foster local engagement with the Inquiry, and ensure that recommendations arising from it are implemented.
What is the Terms of Reference in the Nottingham Inquiry
The government's announcement today (May 22) is that prosecutors, police and medical professionals will be scrutinised by a two-year public inquiry into the fatal Nottingham attacks.
The Terms of Reference has been submitted by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to the chair of the inquiry, outlining a comprehensive list of events.
It also pulls together the interactions between the various agencies (including health, policing and the wider criminal justice system) involved. This is designed to give the inquiry Chair more scope to evaluate what could have been done differently.
What have the survivors said?
Survivor Sharon Millar has said: 'We want to understand how someone with paranoid schizophrenia, who had previously been hospitalised because of his condition, was able to get away with not taking his medication just because he claimed to be scared of needles.
"He was known to the police too. Why weren't they able to stop him? The Inquiry will uncover the truth about all the missed opportunities to stop him, and what needs to be done to prevent something as appalling as this from happening again. Not a day goes by where I don't think about what he did to Grace, Barnaby, and Ian.'
Fellow survivor, Wayne Birkett says 'The whole system feels broken. From the lack of money to fund mental health services, to the broken lines of communication between all the organisations who had contact with Calocane.
"The government needs to make sure that there is enough money and resources available to make the changes needed to protect the people of Nottingham.'
What do we know about the Nottingham inquiry?
Valdo Calocane killed students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and caretaker Ian Coates, 65, before attempting to kill three other people in the city in June 2023.
The inquiry aims to report back within two years with recommendations to prevent similar incidents, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said.
Witnesses from Nottinghamshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) could be compelled to give evidence, the Government said on Thursday.
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.
Calocane was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January 2024 after admitting manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder – something which has been widely criticised by the victims' families.
The MoJ said the management of Calocane's risk to others in the lead-up to the attacks and public servants accessing information without authorisation will form part of the inquiry.
The victims' families previously said claims that healthcare staff illegally accessed medical records belonging to their loved ones were 'sickening' and 'inexcusable'.
Three Nottinghamshire Police officers also faced disciplinary action for viewing material about the case without any legitimate reason, and there have been alleged data breaches by staff working for HM Prison and Probation Service and HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
Emergency services staff who responded to the attacks will also be scrutinised by the inquiry as part of a 'detailed examination' of events on the day of the killings.
Senior retired judge Deborah Taylor, who jailed former tennis star Boris Becker after he avoided paying his debts, will chair the inquiry.
What else are people saying about the Inquiry?
Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood said: 'The bereaved families and survivors of the Nottingham attacks, who have suffered so much, deserve to know how these horrific incidents were able to happen.
'I am pleased this inquiry is now under way and I know her honour Deborah Taylor will undertake a fearless and thorough examination of the facts to prevent tragedies like this happening again.'
Greg Almond, Solicitor and Partner at Rothera Bray. 'It's crucial that Nottingham's leaders remain actively involved both during and after the Inquiry concludes to ensure there is never a repeat of an attack of this nature.
"The proper implementation of the Inquiry's recommendations will require effective leadership and investment, something that has not yet been spoken about."
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