Police have opened an investigation into Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on suspicion of corporate manslaughter over the care of Valdo Calocane, the man who carried out the June 2023 attacks in Nottingham. The probe is being led by Northumbria Police on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police, the force confirmed.
Who was under the trust's care
Calocane, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020, was under the trust's mental health services for around two years before being discharged in September 2022. During that period he was detained under the Mental Health Act four times.
Victims and public inquiry
On 13 June 2023 Calocane killed three people in Nottingham and attempted to kill others. The statutory public inquiry into the events has already completed its main evidence hearings and is due to hear final submissions later this year. Families of those killed have publicly criticised the trust's care, saying it had "catastrophically failed at every level".
"We know how important the independent inquiry and police investigation are for the affected families, the survivors and our local communities."
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has said it will co-operate fully with the police investigation and the statutory inquiry chaired by Her Honour Deborah Taylor. A trust spokesperson reiterated their commitment to working with investigators.
Local impact and accountability
The police investigation raises urgent questions for Nottingham residents about the oversight and delivery of mental health services locally. If the probe leads to charges, it would be a rare and serious step against an NHS organisation, potentially affecting governance, practice and confidence in local mental health care.
- Investigation lead: Northumbria Police, acting for Nottinghamshire Police
- Subject: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Context: Care of Valdo Calocane prior to June 2023 attacks
Community leaders and councillors will be watching closely for further updates. The families of the victims have welcomed the investigation. Police say they remain in contact with the victims' families and survivors and are committed to supporting them while enquiries continue.
| Victim | Age | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Barnaby Webber | 19 | 13 June 2023 |
| Grace O’Malley-Kumar | 19 | 13 June 2023 |
| Ian Coates | 65 | 13 June 2023 |
Further developments in the investigation are likely to be followed by both the statutory inquiry and criminal investigators. For Nottingham residents, the case underlines the scrutiny now being applied to how local mental health services manage and follow up people considered a risk to themselves or others.
