A man convicted in connection with a 2023 stabbing attack in Nottingham attempted to surrender to MI5 two years prior to the incident, an inquiry has revealed.
Details Emerge at London Inquiry
Valdo Calocane, 34, fatally stabbed Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19 and Ian Coates, 65, during an attack on June 13, 2023. He later pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and received a sentence of indefinite detention in a high-security hospital.
The inquiry, currently underway in London, heard testimony that Calocane went to MI5 headquarters at Thames House in May 2021, requesting to be arrested.
PC Graham Foster, who responded to the scene, stated that Calocane informed security personnel he wished to be arrested and speak with police. Foster explained he attempted to “build a rapport” with Calocane, believing it would encourage him to share further information. He described Calocane as “calm, compliant and coherent.”
Superintendent Lorraine Busby-McVey of the Metropolitan Police testified that Calocane was reviewed by the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FATC), but did not meet the criteria for further assessment. An intelligence report from the FATC was subsequently sent to Nottinghamshire Police on June 1, 2021.
Busby-McVey stated that Nottinghamshire Police did not conduct their own assessment following receipt of the report, a step she indicated “would have quite liked” to have happened. She also noted that the report was not universally accessible to all officers within the force, but that a new information-sharing system has since been implemented.
Prior Reports of Concerning Behavior
The inquiry also heard from a former flatmate of Calocane, identified only as Sebastian, who reported incidents of aggressive behavior to Nottinghamshire Police. Sebastian recounted an instance where Calocane grabbed him, pushed him against a wall, and made unsettling statements, warning that “someone would contact” Sebastian and that he should notify them “VC would find them.”
Sebastian reported these incidents to the police, who informed him a report would be filed and flagged to an unspecified agency. He also reported suspicions of stalking and attempts by Calocane to enter his bedroom at night, but received no response when he followed up with police.
Sebastian stated that upon learning of the Nottingham attacks, he suspected Calocane was involved even before his identity was publicly confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Valdo Calocane do in 2021?
In May 2021, Valdo Calocane attempted to surrender to MI5 at its headquarters at Thames House in London, requesting to be arrested.
How did police respond to reports from Calocane’s flatmate?
Police filed a report after Sebastian reported being accosted by Calocane, stating it would be flagged to an agency, but did not specify which agency. Sebastian’s subsequent report of Calocane attempting to enter his bedroom received no response.
What was the outcome of the FATC’s assessment of Calocane?
The Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FATC) reviewed Calocane but determined he did not meet the threshold for further assessment.
What further revelations will emerge from the ongoing inquiry remains to be seen, but the current proceedings are already shedding light on the events leading up to this tragic incident and the responses of various agencies involved.
What role should proactive mental health support play in preventing future tragedies like this one?
