Leicestershire force refuses to share details about killer – because of data protection
THE families of the Nottingham attacks victims have shared their disappointment after police again refused to release details on missed opportunities to stop killer Valdo Calocane.
Leicestershire Police were called to an industrial estate in Kegworth in May last year after Calocane was accused of attacking two colleagues, but officers failed to locate him just weeks before he fatally stabbed students Barnaby Webber, 19, Grace O’malley-kumar, 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, in Nottingham on June 13, 2023.
After the force refused to disclose whether officers had been aware of Nottinghamshire Police’s active arrest warrant for Calocane at the time, the Post submitted a Freedom of Information request on what actions police had taken as of their investigation.
Leicestershire Police, on Tuesday, again refused to release this information - arguing it was protected under the Data Protection Act as it was the killer’s personal data.
Calocane’s evasion of officers following his alleged attacks on workers at Arvato’s logistics warehouse at East Midlands Airport surfaced in late January, days after he had been sentenced to an indefinite high-security hospital order.
The victims’ families and the Independent Office for Police Conduct only learnt of the warehouse call-out during the criminal proceedings.
Leicestershire Police referred itself to the policing watchdog on January 29 over the missed opportunity to arrest Calocane before his killings.
When questioned by the Post on the force declining to release more information about the investigation, a spokesperson said it was unable to comment further while the IOPC investigation was ongoing.
In response the families of those killed in the Nottingham attacks reiterated their frustration at the lack of answers coming from both Leicestershire Police and Nottinghamshire Police, with the latter also being under IOPC investigation over previous interactions with Calocane.
Emma Webber, mum of student Barnaby, said: “We are disappointed but not surprised to learn that the Leicestershire force have refused to provide information to the media with regards to their contact with Calocane.
“It sadly reflects the most recent statement from Kate Meynell, Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police, that no further answers can now be given.
“However, given that much of this information is in the public domain, the families will be fully involved in the investigation and we have faith that our unanswered questions and concerns will be fully addressed.”