2023 Nottingham attacks
{{Short description|Vehicle-ramming and stabbing attacks in England}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = 2023 Nottingham attacks
| location = Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
| date = 13 June 2023
| partof =
| image = Nottingham Skyline with Council House.jpg
| alt =
| caption = The city centre of Nottingham; the main attacks took place in Radford and in Mapperley Park
| coordinates =
| time = 04:00–05:25
| timezone = BST
| target = Civilians
| type = Mass stabbing, vehicle-ramming attack
| weapons =
| fatalities = 3
| injuries = 5
| victims =
| assailants =
| assailant = Valdo Calocane
| motive = Unknown
| coroner =
}}
In the early morning of 13 June 2023, three people were fatally stabbed and three others were injured when a van was driven into them in three connected attacks in Nottingham in the East Midlands of the United Kingdom. At around 04:00 BST, Valdo Calocane fatally stabbed two university students in the street and subsequently a school caretaker, whose van he had stolen. After driving the van into people at a nearby bus stop, Calocane was arrested.
On 16 June 2023, Calocane was charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder and on 17 June he was remanded in custody. In November 2023, Calocane denied the three counts of murder, but admitted three counts of manslaughter, on the basis of diminished responsibility, and three further counts of attempted murder. His pleas were accepted by the prosecution. On 25 January 2024, Calocane was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court to be detained indefinitely at a high-security hospital.
Attacks
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| mark-title1 = Fatal stabbing of two students (04:00)
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| mark-coord2 = {{coord|52.969062|-1.144756}}
| mark-title2 = Attacker attempts to break into hostel (~05:00)
| mark-coord3 = {{coord|52.970513|-1.142786}}
| mark-title3 = Van hijacked; driver fatally stabbed (~05:00)
| mark-coord4 = {{coord|52.956615|-1.148377}}
| mark-title4 = Van strikes pedestrians at a bus stop (05:25)
| mark-coord5 = {{coord|52.955178|-1.150892}}
| mark-title5 = Van drives at pedestrians on Sherwood Street (~05:25)
| mark-coord6 = {{coord|52.963830|-1.167326}}
| mark-title6 = Attacker tasered and arrested outside a shop (05:34)
| mark-coord7 = {{coord|52.955516|-1.177616}}
| mark-title7 = Property linked to attacker raided by police (13:00)
| caption = Locations of events during the 2023 Nottingham attacks
| auto-caption = 1
}}
At 04:00 BST on 13 June 2023, two 19-year-olds were found fatally stabbed on Ilkeston Road, Radford, Nottingham.{{Cite news |date=13 June 2023 |title=Three people found dead in Nottingham |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/13/three-people-found-dead-in-nottingham-uk-police |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222091516/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/13/three-people-found-dead-in-nottingham-uk-police |archive-date=22 February 2024 |access-date=13 June 2023 |work=Al Jazeera}}{{Cite news |last1=McNamee |first1=Michael Sheils |last2=Gregory |first2=James |date=13 June 2023 |title=Nottingham attacks: What we know so far |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65890403 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613140712/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65890403 |archive-date=13 June 2023 |access-date=13 June 2023 |work=BBC News}} Nottinghamshire Police received a request to attend at 04:05.{{Cite news |last=Watson |first=Greig |date=14 June 2023 |title=Nottingham attacks: CCTV shows suspect outside homeless hostel |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65906687 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614152153/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65906687 |archive-date=14 June 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} An anonymous eyewitness told police that he had seen the two students being attacked, heard an awful scream, and saw a man dressed in black with a hood and rucksack fighting with some people. He watched the male victim collapse in the centre of the road, while the woman moved towards a house before disappearing by the side of the house. CCTV footage was later found apparently showing the suspect attempting to break into a bedroom at Seely Hirst House hostel on Mapperley Road, less than an hour after he had attacked the two students.{{Cite web |last1=Sawer |first1=Patrick |last2=Murphy |first2=Michael |date=14 June 2023 |title=Nottingham suspect 'tried to get into hostel' before stabbing third victim |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/14/nottingham-suspect-tried-to-get-in-hostel-before-stabbing/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614133354/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/14/nottingham-suspect-tried-to-get-in-hostel-before-stabbing/ |archive-date=14 June 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=The Telegraph}}
At 05:25, police were called to an incident in which a van had been driven into people waiting at a bus stop near the Theatre Royal in the city centre, in which three people were injured.{{Cite news |last1=Dodd |first1=Vikram |last2=Murray |first2=Jessica |last3=Pidd |first3=Helen |last4=Grierson |first4=Jamie |date=14 June 2023 |title=Nottingham in shock after three die in early-morning attacks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2023/jun/13/nottingham-in-shock-after-three-die-in-early-morning-attacks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613223412/https://www.theguardian.com/global/2023/jun/13/nottingham-in-shock-after-three-die-in-early-morning-attacks |archive-date=13 June 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |work=The Guardian}} The suspect then attempted to run over two other pedestrians in the Sherwood Street area; they were believed to have suffered minor injuries. A man was found stabbed to death on Magdala Road in the Mapperley Park area of the city, close to Seely House Hostel. At about 05:34, after a man approached police with a knife, he was tasered outside a convenience store in Bentinck Road, Forest Fields and was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Victims
The first two people killed in the attacks were 19-year-old first-year students at the University of Nottingham,{{Cite tweet |number=1668637471066796034 |user=UniofNottingham |title=It is with great sadness that we confirm the sudden and unexpected death of two of our students following a major incident in Nottingham city centre overnight. |date=13 June 2023 |access-date=13 June 2023}}{{Cite news |date=13 June 2023 |title=Two University of Nottingham students among three killed in city centre attack |url=https://www.itv.com/news/central/2023-06-13/no-trams-in-nottingham-due-to-major-police-incident |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222091524/https://www.itv.com/news/central/2023-06-13/no-trams-in-nottingham-due-to-major-police-incident |archive-date=22 February 2024 |access-date=13 June 2023 |work=ITV News}} Barnaby Webber, who was studying history, and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, who was studying medicine.{{Cite news |last1=Badshah |first1=Nadeem |last2=Davies |first2=Caroline |last3=Thomas |first3=Tobi |last4=Mackay |first4=Hamish |date=14 June 2023 |title=Nottingham attack: thousands join vigil outside Nottingham University students' union – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2023/jun/14/nottingham-attacks-police-latest-news-updates |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614204607/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2023/jun/14/nottingham-attacks-police-latest-news-updates |archive-date=14 June 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |work=The Guardian}} The third victim was 65-year-old Ian Coates, the owner of the van, which had been stolen from him on his way to work as a school caretaker. All the injured victims were wounded after they were run into at a bus stop; one was in a critical condition.{{Cite web |date=14 June 2023 |title=Police release sequence of events leading up to 31-year-old man's arrest |url=https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/news/nottinghamshire/news/news/2023/june/police-release-sequence-of-events-leading-up-to-31-year-old-mans-arrest/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924194141/https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/news/nottinghamshire/news/news/2023/june/police-release-sequence-of-events-leading-up-to-31-year-old-mans-arrest/ |archive-date=24 September 2023 |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=Nottinghamshire Police}} On 15 June, a Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust spokesman said the man left in a critical condition was now stable.
Investigation
Police were said to be working closely with counter-terrorism police but keeping an "open mind" as to the motive.{{Cite news |title=Nottingham: Counter-terror team on Nottingham case – but police keep 'open mind' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65888114 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613083442/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65888114 |archive-date=13 June 2023 |access-date=13 June 2023 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news |date=13 June 2023 |title=Nottingham attack: Police 'keeping an open mind' on motive, says Home Secretary |url=https://news.sky.com/video/nottingham-attack-police-keeping-an-open-mind-on-motive-says-home-secretary-12901861 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613182716/https://news.sky.com/video/nottingham-attack-police-keeping-an-open-mind-on-motive-says-home-secretary-12901861 |archive-date=13 June 2023 |access-date=13 June 2023 |work=Sky News}}{{Cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Greig |last2=Bevis |first2=Gavin |date=13 June 2023 |title=Nottingham: Students among three killed in Nottingham attacks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65893694 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613175511/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65893694 |archive-date=13 June 2023 |access-date=13 June 2023 |website=BBC News}} Police said they believed that the perpetrator had acted alone.{{Cite news |last1=Lawless |first1=Jill |last2=Melley |first2=Brian |date=13 June 2023 |title=Nottingham police say man fatally stabbed 3, stole van and ran down 3 more in English city |url=https://apnews.com/article/nottingham-uk-police-serious-incident-a10e6f7a5a083787f9ea2e8e61e43fa2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613194004/https://apnews.com/article/nottingham-uk-police-serious-incident-a10e6f7a5a083787f9ea2e8e61e43fa2 |archive-date=13 June 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |work=AP NEWS |language=en}}
On 16 June 2023, the suspect was charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.{{Cite news |date=16 June 2023 |title=Nottingham attacks: Valdo Calocane charged with three counts of murder |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65912592 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616170953/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65912592 |archive-date=16 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |work=BBC News}}
Perpetrator
The perpetrator was Valdo Amissão Mendes Calocane,{{efn|Calocane also goes by the name Adam Mendes}} a dual Guinea-Bissau/Portuguese national who was 31 at the time of the attacks.{{Cite news |date=17 June 2023 |title=Valdo Calocane in court over Nottingham stab attacks |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65937873 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624021050/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65937873 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |access-date=7 December 2023 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news |last=Jefford |first=Will |date=28 November 2023 |title=Nottingham attacks: Valdo Calocane admits killing three people |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-67552777 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180647/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-67552777 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |access-date=7 December 2023 |work=BBC News}} He has settled status through his Portuguese citizenship. He graduated in mechanical engineering from the University of Nottingham in 2022.{{Cite news |last=Bevis |first=Gavin |date=16 June 2023 |title=Nottingham attacks: Suspect named as Valdo Amissão Mendes Calocane |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65927760 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616092214/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65927760 |archive-date=16 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} He came to the United Kingdom in 2007 with his parents and the family moved to Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, Wales, where they were regular worshippers at the Calvary Church there (an independent Pentecostal Church in fellowship with the Assemblies of God).{{Cite web |title=History – Calvary Church |url=https://calvarychurchpembs.co.uk/about/history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129210554/https://calvarychurchpembs.co.uk/about/history/ |archive-date=29 January 2024 |access-date=29 January 2024 |website=Calvary Church}} He attended Sir Thomas Picton School and was academically successful.{{Cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Martin |last2=Sawer |first2=Patrick |last3=Hymas |first3=Charles |last4=Stephens |first4=Max |last5=Murphy |first5=Michael |date=15 June 2023 |title=Nottingham attack suspect comes from 'hard-working' Christian family |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/15/nottingham-attack-suspect-named-valdo-calocane/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616045918/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/15/nottingham-attack-suspect-named-valdo-calocane/ |archive-date=16 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=The Telegraph}}
He worked at the Arvato warehouse on 1 May 2023, until 5 May 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68088389 | title=Valdo Calocane: Police did not arrest killer after previous assaults | work=BBC News | date=26 January 2024 }}
Arrest and trial
Calocane did not have a criminal record and was not known to the security services, but had a history of mental health issues. On 14 June, detectives applied to Nottingham Magistrates' Court and were granted another 36 hours to question him.{{Cite web |date=15 June 2023 |title=Detectives given extra time to question murder suspect |url=https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/news/nottinghamshire/news/news/2023/june/detectives-given-extra-time-to-question-murder-suspect/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002220256/https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/news/nottinghamshire/news/news/2023/june/detectives-given-extra-time-to-question-murder-suspect/ |archive-date=2 October 2023 |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=Nottinghamshire Police}} On 17 June, Calocane, of no fixed address, made his first appearance in court and was remanded in custody.{{Cite web |last=Sherdley |first=Rebecca |date=17 June 2023 |title=Man appears in court charged with triple murder |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/nottingham-attacks-live-updates-valdo-8529144 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617104457/https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/nottingham-attacks-live-updates-valdo-8529144 |archive-date=17 June 2023 |access-date=17 June 2023 |website=NottinghamshireLive |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sherdley |first=Rebecca |date=17 June 2023 |title=Nottingham attacks live updates as Valdo Calocane appears in court charged with triple murder |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/nottingham-attacks-live-updates-valdo-8529144 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617104457/https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/nottingham-attacks-live-updates-valdo-8529144 |archive-date=17 June 2023 |access-date=17 June 2023 |publisher=Nottingham Post}}{{Cite web |last=Cobham |first=Tara |date=17 June 2023 |title=Man accused of triple murder appears in court |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/nottingham-attacks-murder-valdo-calocane-b2359428.html |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617104559/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/nottingham-attacks-murder-valdo-calocane-b2359428.html |archive-date=17 June 2023 |access-date=17 June 2023 |website=The Independent}}
In November 2023, Calocane denied three counts of murder but admitted to three counts of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility and three further counts of attempted murder. On 23 January 2024 his plea was accepted,{{Cite news |last=Burrell |first=Miriam |date=23 January 2024 |title=Court accepts triple killer's manslaughter plea |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/nottingham-attacks-university-plea-manslaughter-barnaby-webber-grace-omalley-kumar-b1134169.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123154648/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/nottingham-attacks-university-plea-manslaughter-barnaby-webber-grace-omalley-kumar-b1134169.html |archive-date=23 January 2024 |access-date=23 January 2024 |work=Evening Standard}} and two days later he was sentenced to indefinite detention at a high-security hospital.{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Jessica |date=25 January 2024 |title=Nottingham attacks: Valdo Calocane to be detained at high-security hospital |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/25/nottingham-attacks-valdo-calocane-to-be-detained-at-high-security-hospital |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125122444/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/25/nottingham-attacks-valdo-calocane-to-be-detained-at-high-security-hospital |archive-date=25 January 2024 |access-date=25 January 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} In February 2024, it was announced that judges would review Calocane's sentence after the attorney general labelled it as "unduly lenient."{{Cite web |last=Torr |first=George |date=20 February 2024 |title=Nottingham attacks: Triple killer's sentence to be reviewed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68341244 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220114804/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68341244 |archive-date=20 February 2024 |access-date=20 February 2024 |website=BBC News}}
Post-trial events
On 26 January, the Attorney General's office announced it would consider a review of the sentence following a referral arguing it was too lenient.{{Cite web |last1=Mackintosh |first1=Thomas |last2=Sissons |first2=Rob |last3=Slow |first3=Oliver |date=26 January 2024 |title=Nottingham attacks: Triple killer's sentence considered for review |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68102485 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126020716/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68102485 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=BBC News}} But Nazir Afzal, a former chief crown prosecutor who was not involved with the case, described the decision to accept Calocane's manslaughter pleas and to give him an indefinite hospital order as appropriate.{{Cite web |last=Lowbridge |first=Caroline |date=31 January 2024 |title=Charge in Nottingham triple killer's case appropriate – ex-prosecutor |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68154963 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131190041/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68154963 |archive-date=31 January 2024 |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=BBC News}} A hearing at the Court of Appeal into whether the sentence should be changed began on 8 May 2024.{{Cite web |first=Liam |last=Barnes |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68975972 |title=Nottingham attacks killer's sentence should include jail, court told |date=8 May 2024 |accessdate=8 May 2024 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC}} They concluded that the sentencing judge had not erred, and the sentence passed was not unduly lenient.{{Cite BAILII|litigants=R v Calocane|court=EWCA|division=Crim|year=2024|num=490|parallelcite=[2024] 4 All ER 1063, [2024] Crim LR 667|date=14 May 2024}}{{Cite news |date=2024-05-14 |title=Nottingham attacks: Triple killer's sentence not unduly lenient - judges |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68975895 |access-date=2025-03-03 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
Also on 26 January, NHS England announced an investigation into Calocane's contact with mental health services stretching back to 2020.{{Cite web |last=Sissons |first=Rob |date=26 January 2024 |title=Nottingham attacks: NHS to investigate Valdo Calocane's case |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68092057 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126095709/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68092057 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=BBC News}} Leicestershire Police also confirmed that Calocane had been reported for assaulting two colleagues at an Arvato warehouse in Leicestershire, six weeks before the Nottingham stabbings, but that no arrest was made.{{Cite web |last=Lowbridge |first=Caroline |date=26 January 2024 |title=Valdo Calocane: Police did not arrest killer after previous assaults |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68088389 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126130414/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68088389 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}} The force subsequently referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over its investigation into the assaults.{{Cite web |last=Jefford |first=Will |date=29 January 2024 |title=Nottingham attacks: Police face probe over killer's alleged assaults |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68134496 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129193251/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68134496 |archive-date=29 January 2024 |access-date=29 January 2024 |website=BBC News}}
Aftermath
On the evening of 13 June 2023, a vigil for the victims was held at St Peter's Church on St Peter's Square in the city centre, led by the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, Paul Williams. Hundreds of students attended the vigil, leaving flowers and lighting candles for the victims. At the same time, a memorial quarter peal was rung at All Saints Church near the university, by members of the Nottingham University Society of change ringers.{{Cite web |title=Ringing World BellBoard |url=https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1638430 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221185011/https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1638430 |archive-date=21 February 2024 |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=bb.ringingworld.co.uk |language=en}} A moment of silence was held before the County Championship cricket match between Essex and Somerset, and the flag was flown at half mast with players wearing black armbands.{{Cite news |last=Joyce |first=Elizabeth |date=14 June 2023 |title=Nottingham attacks: The victims |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65900995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614095628/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65900995 |archive-date=14 June 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
On 14 June, thousands of members of the public gathered at the University of Nottingham's University Park Campus at a memorial vigil and were addressed by the fathers of the two student victims.{{Cite web |date=14 June 2023 |title='Look out for each other': Fathers of Nottingham attack victims speak at vigil |url=https://news.sky.com/story/look-out-for-each-other-fathers-of-nottingham-victims-speak-at-vigil-12902484 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614171555/https://news.sky.com/story/look-out-for-each-other-fathers-of-nottingham-victims-speak-at-vigil-12902484 |archive-date=14 June 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=Sky News}}{{Cite web |last1=Badshah |first1=Nadeem |last2=Davies |first2=Caroline |last3=Thomas |first3=Tobi |last4=Mackay |first4=Hamish |date=14 June 2023 |title=Nottingham attack: thousands join vigil outside Nottingham University students' union – latest updates |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2023/jun/14/nottingham-attacks-police-latest-news-updates |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615030241/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2023/jun/14/nottingham-attacks-police-latest-news-updates |archive-date=15 June 2023 |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=The Guardian}} A further, city-wide vigil took place from 17:30 on 15 June, at Old Market Square, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West, the Lord Mayor Cllr Carole McCulloch and Leader of the Council Cllr David Mellen. To support people who wished to attend, transport on the city's buses were free of charge between 15:00 and 20:00.{{Cite web |date=15 June 2023 |title=Nottingham city vigil – 5:30pm today |url=https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/currentstudents/news/remembering-grace-omalley-kumar-and-barney-webber |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617042448/https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/currentstudents/news/remembering-grace-omalley-kumar-and-barney-webber |archive-date=17 June 2023 |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=University of Nottingham}} Close family members of all three of the victims addressed the crowd and a minute's silence was observed at 18:00.
Reactions
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer all expressed condolences.{{Cite web |date=14 June 2023 |title=Nottingham attack: What we know so far |url=https://news.sky.com/story/nottingham-van-attack-what-we-know-so-far-12901534 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614044949/http://news.sky.com/story/nottingham-van-attack-what-we-know-so-far-12901534 |archive-date=14 June 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=Sky News}} The Archbishop of Canterbury responded on Twitter "The terrible and tragic incident in Nottingham this morning. I join with everyone praying for all those affected, for grieving family and friends, and for the emergency services in their ongoing response." The Archbishop of York posted: "Pray for Nottingham today, for those who have died, for the injured, for those who mourn, and for those who care for them. Lord, have mercy."{{Cite news |last=Ashworth |first=Pat |date=14 June 2023 |title=Vigil held in Nottingham for victims of attack |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/16-june/news/uk/vigil-held-in-nottingham-for-victims-of-attack |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614125116/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/16-june/news/uk/vigil-held-in-nottingham-for-victims-of-attack |archive-date=14 June 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |work=The Church Times}}
The Nottingham University Graduation Ball on the evening of 13 June was cancelled by student union officers due to the attacks.{{Cite news |last=Beck |first=Laycie |date=13 June 2023 |title=Grad ball cancelled as Nottingham students 'stand in solidarity' following city centre incident |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/grad-ball-cancelled-students-stand-8518869 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616142440/https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/grad-ball-cancelled-students-stand-8518869 |archive-date=16 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |work=Nottingham Post}} Both student victims were members of sports teams, causing many athletes and clubs to respond to the attacks. The Bishop's Hull Cricket Club in Taunton asked for people to leave flowers and respects and the ex-England cricket captain Michael Vaughan paid tribute to one of the deceased. England Hockey, the Southgate Hockey Club, Woodford Wells Cricket Club, and Essex Cricket all offered their condolences for another of the deceased victims. On 16 June, the England and Australia men's cricket teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect and observed a minute's silence, before the national anthems, at the opening day of The Ashes test series at Edgbaston. On 22 June, both countries' women's counterparts followed suit for the opening day of The Women's Ashes series, at Nottingham's Trent Bridge.{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Anirudh |date=22 June 2023 |title=Women's Ashes 2023: Here's why England and Australia players are wearing black armbands in the Trent Bridge Test |url=https://crickettimes.com/2023/06/womens-ashes-2023-heres-why-england-and-australia-players-are-wearing-black-armbands-in-the-trent-bridge-test/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622163124/https://crickettimes.com/2023/06/womens-ashes-2023-heres-why-england-and-australia-players-are-wearing-black-armbands-in-the-trent-bridge-test/ |archive-date=22 June 2023 |access-date=22 June 2023 |work=Cricket Times}}
On 15 June, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that they had referred part of the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as a marked police car had followed the van driven by the suspect, before the van collided with two pedestrians.{{Cite news |last=Watson |first=Greig |date=15 June 2023 |title=Nottingham attacks: Police given more time to question suspect |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65910144 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615122639/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65910144 |archive-date=15 June 2023 |access-date=15 June 2023 |work=BBC News}}
=Police WhatsApp message controversy=
In 2024, Nottinghamshire Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct regarding the content of messages in a WhatsApp group discussing the incident and victims using unprofessional and demeaning language. In April, Emma Webber, mother of victim Barnaby Webber wrote an open letter to the officers in the group expressing the disgust caused by the messages.{{Cite web |last=Cotterill |first=Becky |date=24 April 2024 |title=Nottingham attack families traumatised by 'barbaric' police WhatsApp message about killings |url=https://news.sky.com/story/nottingham-attack-families-traumatised-by-barbaric-police-whatsapp-message-about-killings-13121763 |website=Sky News}}{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Jordan |date=24 April 2024 |title=Nottingham attack victim's mum slams 'callous' police WhatsApp messages |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/barnaby-webber-mother-nottingham-killer-police-whatsapp-messages-b1153433.html |website=Evening Standard}}
Footnotes
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References
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{{Mass stabbings in the 2020s}}{{Nottingham}}
{{Vehicle-ramming attacks}}
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Category:2023 road incidents in Europe
Category:2020s vehicle-ramming attacks
Category:Attacks in the United Kingdom in 2023
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Category:Vehicle-ramming attacks in the United Kingdom
Category:June 2023 crimes in Europe
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