Families of the victims of the Nottingham attacks have voiced profound disappointment, asserting that a pervasive “fear of stigma and bias” allowed confessed killer Valdo Calocane to remain at large, leading to the tragic loss of life. The sentiment was powerfully articulated by Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber, 19, who believes that a comprehensive failure across multiple agencies enabled the killings.

Systemic Failures Highlighted by Victims’ Families

Calocane, who was carrying a rucksack filled with weapons, fatally attacked Barnaby Webber and fellow students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and 19-year-old Bernardo Alcaraz. He then stole caretaker Ian Coates’ van and used it in an attempt to run down three pedestrians.

Emma Webber stated at a press conference that the systemic failings in her son’s case mirrored those in other tragic incidents, such as the murder of Henry Nowak. “The fear of stigma and bias was placed above safety and duty,” she remarked, warning that similar situations could occur again if urgent action is not taken. “There are many Valdo Calocanes amongst us out there. I think if urgent action doesn’t happen, it will continue, not just to university students… because you don’t know who’s amongst us.”

Webber described the harrowing experience of the public inquiry, which has now concluded its evidence-gathering phase after months of testimony. “It has been brutal, bruising and harrowing beyond measure, but it was so very necessary. Just look at what it has uncovered,” she said. The inquiry’s final report is anticipated next year.

Parallels Drawn to Other Cases

Speaking after the inquiry heard its final witness, Webber emphasized the parallels between her son’s death and that of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed by officers who allegedly ignored his pleas that he had been stabbed. Nowak’s attacker, Vickrum Digwa, reportedly told police he was the victim of a racist assault.

“That’s one of many, if we start to delve into our agencies and systems in this country a little bit deeper, it’s replicated in every city, in every part of the UK,” Webber asserted. She described the inquiry process itself as “bruising, brutal, heart-wrenching, tragic, sickening,” noting that “the failures keep coming” nearly three years after the events.

The inquiry has been examining how a man with mental health issues was able to carry out the fatal attacks on Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber, and Grace O’Malley-Kumar.

Call for Accountability and Change

Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, father of Grace O’Malley-Kumar, stressed that the inquiry’s conclusion marks the beginning of a pursuit for accountability. “Our fight has been about accountability and about the fact this should never happen to a family in England again,” he stated. “If you don’t find people accountable, you will never change your system. Systems are made out of people, and it’s really important to find the people who simply just didn’t do their jobs accountable.”

Dr. Kumar added that further evidence may still emerge, particularly given that no criminal trial took place for the killings. “I don’t think we’ve seen enough of the investigation out in the public yet,” he commented.

Darren Coates, son of Ian Coates, echoed these sentiments, speaking alongside his brother Lee. “It’s been a whirlwind coming here, we’ve been exposed to so much more than what we actually thought, it’s been awful, but like Sanjoy said, this is the start. We’re not going to stop, we’re going to keep going, going and going.”

Valdo Calocane has received an indefinite hospital order for the killings. The families are awaiting the inquiry’s findings, due to be published next year, as they continue their push for systemic change and accountability.