Full scope of Inquiry into Nottingham Attacks set out
The public inquiry will establish a timeline of events and review the role played by different agencies
Last updated 22nd May 2025
The full scope of the judge-led public Inquiry into the Nottingham Attacks has been set out by the Lord Chancellor.
Today the full Terms of Reference have been published.
19 year olds Barnaby Webber from Taunton, in Somerset, and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, from Woodford Green in East London were students in the city in June of 2023, they alongside 65 year old school caretaker Ian Coates, were killed by Valdo Calocane.
Wayne Birkett, Sharon Miller and Marcin Gawronski were also seriously injured during the assaults.
The statutory inquiry will undertake a thorough, independent assessment of the events that culminated in these attacks and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents.
It will have the power to examine all the agencies involved, including the Nottinghamshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service; compel witnesses, and establish the facts.
The Prime Minister has committed that the inquiry should report within two years which the Lord Chancellor has reiterated today.
Neil Hudgell said on behalf of the victims families:
"The families warmly welcome publication of the final Terms of Reference for the Inquiry.
"Today marks another milestone in their quest for answers and true accountability.
"The Terms of Reference are widely drawn and are hopefully the catalyst for driving change across and between a wide range of agencies, who have materially contributed both to the tragic loss of their loved ones and have subsequently caused continuing trauma and loss to those left behind since the terrible events of June 2023.
"They are extremely grateful to the Chair of the Inquiry for hearing them, and producing terms that give them a measure of confidence that the truth can be unearthed.
"The families look forward to working closely with the Inquiry team and other interested parties in leaving no stone unturned in achieving accountability and change. "
The inquiry will look at a broad range of areas in connection with the attacks, including:
- The management of Valdo Calocane’s risk to others in the lead up to the attacks
- A detailed examination of events on the day of the attacks - including the response of the emergency services
- A timeline of incidents of unauthorised accessing of information by public servants.
The Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood consulted on the Terms of Reference with the Inquiry Chair, Her Honour Deborah Taylor, who in turn has engaged with the survivors and bereaved families to ensure their views have been taken into account.
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 underway and I know Her Honour Deborah Taylor will undertake a fearless and thorough examination of the facts to prevent tragedies like this happening again.”
Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Alex Davies-Jones, said:
“My thoughts remain with the bereaved families and survivors of this terrible incident, who in the face of such tragedy, have consistently called for answers. .
“It is an important step for the bereaved families and survivors that this Inquiry is now underway, and I know the Inquiry Chair will ensure it reports without undue delay.”
Meanwhile some of the survivors of the attack, have reacted to the announcement, welcoming the publication.
"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.” says survivor Sharon Miller.
She suffered significant orthopedic and psychological injuries as a result of the attack. She continues to undergo rehabilitation and walks using a stick. Her partner of 33 years, Martin, has become her carer since the accident.
Fellow survivor, Wayne Birkett says:
“The whole system feels broken.
"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.”
Wayne suffered a serious head injury in the attack which placed him in a coma. He also suffered multiple orthopedic injuries including fractures to his shoulder and legs. It is his memory problems that impact him the most though. He has regular headaches, dizziness, and severe memory problems. He has no memory of the attack, or real recollection of what life was like before the accident, struggling even to recall events from the previous day.
Following the announcement of the terms of reference for the Inquiry, with the support of their solicitor, Greg Almond from Nottingham-based law firm Rothera Bray (who is representing them at the Inquiry and in their civil case), the survivors are writing 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.
It is hoped that a meeting with Nadia Whittmore (MP for Nottingham East), Alex Norris (Nottingham North) and Lillian Greenwood (Nottingham South), as well as the East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward, will bring the reassurances that the survivors and people of Nottingham deserve.
“We are pleased that the terms of reference are focused on what lessons need to be learnt from the failures by multiple government agencies in dealing with Calocane. However, questions remain as to how local public engagement with the Inquiry will be achieved and who will oversee the implementation of its recommendations” says Greg Almond.
“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.”
Calocane is currently serving an indefinite hospital order.