A major criminal investigation has been launched into the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust following allegations surrounding its treatment of Nottingham attacks perpetrator Valdo Calocane, marking a significant development in one of the United Kingdom’s most closely scrutinised public safety cases.
Northumbria Police has confirmed it is conducting a corporate manslaughter investigation on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police into matters relating to the mental healthcare provided to Calocane before he carried out the fatal attacks that claimed the lives of three people in Nottingham in June 2023.
The investigation follows months of evidence presented during the statutory Nottingham Inquiry, where witnesses detailed a series of alleged shortcomings in the management, treatment and risk assessment of Calocane, who had previously been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was under the care of the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for approximately two years.
Families of the victims have welcomed the investigation, describing it as an essential step towards accountability and systemic reform within mental health services.
Police Confirm Corporate Manslaughter Investigation
Northumbria Police confirmed it had begun investigating the circumstances surrounding Calocane’s care while acting independently on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police.
A spokesperson said officers remain in contact with the victims’ families and survivors and are committed to supporting them throughout the investigation.
The force declined to comment further, citing the ongoing nature of the criminal inquiry.
The investigation raises the possibility of examining whether organisational failings within the NHS trust may have contributed to circumstances preceding the fatal attacks. Corporate manslaughter investigations typically assess whether serious management failures amount to criminal liability under UK law.
Nottingham Inquiry Examined Failures In Mental Health Care
The police investigation follows extensive evidence heard during the statutory Nottingham Inquiry, which concluded witness testimony in May and examined Calocane’s interactions with mental health services before the attacks.
The inquiry heard that Calocane was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020 and remained under the care of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust until September 2022.
During that period, he was detained under the Mental Health Act on four separate occasions.
Evidence presented during the hearings indicated that Calocane was discharged from specialist care after repeatedly failing to attend appointments, with clinicians acknowledging that the community mental health team had effectively “lost” contact with him.
Witnesses also described repeated concerns surrounding medication compliance, deteriorating mental health and an escalating risk profile that was allegedly not managed effectively.
The inquiry heard that one doctor warned Calocane could ultimately kill someone if his condition remained inadequately controlled.
NHS Trust Pledges Full Cooperation
Responding to the investigation, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust confirmed it would cooperate fully with Northumbria Police.
The trust stated that the investigation relates to the care and treatment provided to Calocane before the attacks and acknowledged the importance of both the police inquiry and the statutory public inquiry for bereaved families, survivors and the wider community.
The organisation also reaffirmed its commitment to assisting the ongoing statutory inquiry chaired by Her Honour Deborah Taylor, with final submissions expected later this year.
Victims’ Families Welcome Investigation
Relatives of the three victims have described the corporate manslaughter investigation as a crucial milestone in securing accountability.
Dr Sanjoy Kumar, father of Grace O’Malley-Kumar, said he was encouraged that investigators had determined the legal threshold required for a corporate manslaughter inquiry had been met.
He argued that the inquiry had demonstrated systemic failings extending throughout the organisation rather than isolated mistakes made by individual staff members.
According to Dr Kumar, the evidence presented suggested failures occurred across multiple levels of the trust, from frontline clinical services through to senior leadership.
He expressed hope that the investigation would encourage greater accountability across mental health trusts nationwide and help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber, also welcomed the decision, describing it as the beginning of the accountability process long sought by affected families.
She called for complete transparency from everyone involved, including senior executives, board members, hospital managers and healthcare professionals responsible for Calocane’s care.
Webber argued that organisations and individuals who fail in their responsibilities should be held fully accountable where appropriate.
Inquiry Revealed Concerns Over Risk Assessment
One of the central issues examined during the Nottingham Inquiry was whether Calocane’s potential risk to the public had been properly identified and managed.
Evidence suggested he had a documented history of failing to take prescribed medication and becoming increasingly aggressive during periods of mental illness.
The inquiry heard allegations that opportunities to intervene more effectively may have been missed despite repeated warning signs.
Former mental health nurse Gary Carter, who previously served as one of Calocane’s care coordinators, told the inquiry that mental health services had ultimately exhausted available strategies for managing his condition.
He suggested inpatient services had failed to deliver effective long-term management and claimed professionals had run out of practical solutions despite what he believed were obvious clinical requirements.
The hearings also examined wider organisational challenges affecting the trust during the relevant period.
Previous Safety Concerns Raised About NHS Trust
The inquiry highlighted that Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust had already been facing regulatory scrutiny before Calocane’s treatment.
Evidence showed that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) had been closely monitoring aspects of the organisation’s performance.
An internal email circulated to staff in October 2021 reportedly warned that some services had reached a point where they were considered “not safe,” citing ongoing concerns over staffing levels and operational pressures.
By that stage, Calocane had already been detained under the Mental Health Act on three occasions.
The inquiry explored whether broader organisational pressures may have affected clinical decision-making and continuity of care.
Nottingham Attacks Continue To Shape National Debate
Following the June 2023 attacks, Calocane pleaded guilty to three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, as well as three counts of attempted murder.
He is currently subject to an indefinite hospital order and remains detained in a high-security psychiatric facility.
The newly announced corporate manslaughter investigation represents one of the most significant legal developments arising from the Nottingham attacks and is expected to attract close national attention.
Its findings could influence future standards of governance, clinical accountability and patient risk management across NHS mental health services throughout the United Kingdom, while shaping broader discussions about balancing patient care with public protection in complex psychiatric cases.
