Police regulators have reopened investigations into previous attacks by Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane after representatives of families of the murdered victims.
The Independent Office of Conduct for Police (IOPC) has previously prepared a report that concluded that Leicestershire police failed to properly investigate Calocane’s attack on warehouse workers, which could have stopped his murderous craze a month later. Three officers will face a meeting of misconduct, but the troops postponed that.
Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar and 65-year-old caretaker Ian Coates were killed by Calocane in June 2023.
On Friday, the IOPC said officials saw Calocane’s previous history and excellent arrest warrants before the investigation was closed.
Watchdogs said it had “had not been used before to the IOPC after the troops provided new evidence” and “representatives of the families of the deceased, which led to further inquiries with Leicestershire police.”
Derrick Campbell, director of IOPC, said: “We sympathize with the families of Ian, Barnaby and Grace. We have received many statements from them and responded where we are able to provide other details requested. This is consistent with our policy of sharing evidence with the parties concerned so they can effectively participate in our investigation.
“The issue of reopening through the IOPC must comply with one or more criteria, including the disclosure of significant new information that requires further investigation.
“This applies to this situation and after careful consideration of this new information, we will further ask the officers what they actually saw on the police system about Calocane, especially the excellent arrest warrant for his arrest. Those seriously affected by our decision, including the families of loved ones and the relevant personnel, have been notified and we will complete the work as soon as possible.
“Any decision will be made on the discipline of our investigation only after the new evidence and results have been analyzed.
“Our Director General Rachel Watson offered to meet with the families of Ian, Barnaby and Grace to discuss this development and any concerns they might have.”
Last month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told his family that a public investigation led by a judge would be “within weeks.” He said the investigation will review many different agencies and will soon appoint retired judges to lead the process.
