Full Breakdown
Inquiry into Nottingham Attacks Reveals Disturbing Police Response
3/24/2026, 5:04:12 AM
Overview of the Incident
On June 13, 2023, a series of violent attacks in Nottingham resulted in the deaths of 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, as well as 65-year-old Ian Coates. The perpetrator, Valdo Calocane, also attempted to kill three others during the spree. The public inquiry, chaired by retired judge Deborah Taylor KC, is examining the events leading up to the attacks and the police's response.
Disturbing Delays in Police Response
A significant point of contention in the inquiry is the handling of Ian Coates' body, which was left at the crime scene for 15 hours. Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin, who was the assistant chief constable at the time, expressed his inability to comprehend the distress this caused Coates' family. He stated, “It does seem like a long time. And for Ian's family, that is particularly traumatic.” The police arrived at the scene shortly after the attack but did not cover Coates' body with a forensic tent until 07:55, leaving him exposed for hours.
Communication Failures with Bereaved Families
Griffin acknowledged shortcomings in the police's communication with the bereaved families. He initially stated confidence in the police's thoroughness but later apologized for the tone and lack of empathy in his earlier remarks. “I want to say again that I'm so, so sorry about that,” he said, reflecting on the impact of his words on the families and survivors.
Lack of Transparency Regarding Police Conduct
The inquiry also revealed that the bereaved families were not informed about misconduct proceedings involving police personnel who had accessed sensitive images and footage related to the attacks. Griffin admitted that he found it odd that there had not been a proactive investigation into who accessed this information. He acknowledged that the survivors were also uninformed about an outstanding arrest warrant for Calocane at the time of the attacks, which was a significant oversight.
Criticism of Police Handling
Critics of the police response have highlighted a broader failure to recognize the emotional impact of their communications on the families affected by the attacks. Griffin conceded that there was a lack of awareness regarding how statements might affect the bereaved and survivors, stating, “Yes, I think there was. And I’ve thought about that a lot.”
Conclusion and Ongoing Inquiry
The inquiry continues to explore the police's actions and the systemic failures that contributed to the distress experienced by the victims' families. The revelations have raised serious questions about the adequacy of the police response and their communication strategies in the aftermath of such tragic events.
