Overview
- Probationary PC Libbie‑Mae Taylor admitted she failed to preserve body‑worn video, missed an active arrest warrant after receiving Valdo Calocane’s full details on May 24, and closed the warehouse assault without full victim statements.
- Officers initially logged the suspect only as “Valmendez,” with staff knowing him as “Valdo Mendes,” and a 19‑day wait for correct information from Sky Recruitment hindered timely checks.
- Warehouse witnesses described an unprovoked attack on a worker and his wife and said Calocane appeared to reach for a knife, with a supervisor kicking a blade away under a conveyor belt.
- The inquiry viewed edited police footage of Calocane’s June 13 arrest after the van attacks, with the chair restricting distressing video, and heard that early suspect descriptions were not fully relayed as responders first believed there was a single victim.
- Temporary Chief Constable David Sandall apologized for substandard investigation and detailed reforms including a new tutors’ course, Operation Forefront with practical apps and manuals, and limited AI tools to cut admin, citing high demand (1,950 calls on May 5), a young workforce (40% under five years’ service) and £23m in recent cuts.