In a tragic turn of events, two students, Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, were killed in a violent stabbing spree in Nottingham by Valdo Calocane. The heartbroken families of the victims, led by David Webber and Sanjoy Kumar, have since been on a mission for truth and justice, uniting in their grief to seek answers and accountability from the mental health and law enforcement systems. Their shared loss has sparked a campaign that questions the effectiveness of healthcare professionals and police in dealing with individuals who pose a potential danger to society.

In response to broader concerns about its performance, particularly in managing and conducting effective investigations, Nottinghamshire Police has been placed in special measures by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). The force is required to develop an urgent improvement plan. This decision, affecting six UK police forces, comes amidst scrutiny of Nottinghamshire Police’s handling of cases, including failures and missed opportunities before the fatal attacks by Calocane. Chief Constable Kate Meynell has acknowledged the need for improvements within the force.

Families of the victims have expressed their support for this move, citing it as a step towards addressing the systemic failures that contributed to their loss. They hope that special measures will prompt significant changes within Nottinghamshire Police, ensuring better performance and support for victims in the future. The force’s actions, alongside ongoing investigations by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the College of Policing into the alleged failings following Calocane’s attacks, reflect the complex challenges facing law enforcement and the urgency of reform to prevent future tragedies.