Nottingham attacks: Thousands gather in city for vigil

Hundreds have gathered for a vigil to remember the victims of the Nottingham attacks.

The vigil will feature a minute’s silence, comments from civic leaders and music.

University students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65 were stabbed in the early hours of Tuesday.

Police were earlier granted more time to question the 31-year-old suspect.

They said he was a former student of the university but did not believe this to be behind the attack.

Many of those attending the vigil in the city’s Old Market Square are wearing red, the colour of Nottingham Forest FC, after a request from the sons of Mr Coates, a lifelong fan.

The event will be addressed by city council leader David Mellen, Lord Mayor Carole McCulloch and Alex Norris, MP for Nottingham North.

Also speaking is Ross Middleton, head teacher of Huntingdon Academy, where Mr Coates worked.

He will be followed by Prof Shearer West, vice-chancellor of the University of Nottingham, where Mr Webber and Ms O’Malley-Kumar studied.

It is understood the bereaved families will speak if they feel ready.

During the vigil, the Council House lights will be switched off as a mark of respect.

Earlier, Home Secretary Suella Braverman added a wreath to flowers laid outside the Council House.

The wreath’s message reads: “In memory of those who lost their lives, those who were injured and everyone who loves them.

“We are with you and with all the people of Nottingham.”

Ms Braverman is due to attend a meeting with police chiefs for an update on the investigation and visit emergency services personnel to thank them for their response to the attacks.

Nottinghamshire Police also confirmed it had referred part of the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as a marked police car followed the suspect’s van before it collided with two pedestrians.

Mr Webber and Ms O’Malley-Kumar were attacked with a knife in Ilkeston Road, shortly after 04:00.

After this a man matching the suspect’s description attempted to get into a supporting living complex in Mapperley Road, but was unable to gain entry.

Police believe that shortly afterwards, he attacked Mr Coates – who was found dead from knife injuries in Magdala Road – and stole his van, which was then used to hit pedestrians.

Officers have given more details of three other people injured in this part of the attacks.

A man was run over in the Milton Street area and left in a critical condition, but a Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust spokesman said he was now stable.

An attempt was then made to run over two other pedestrians in the Sherwood Street area. They are believed to have suffered minor injuries.

It was this part of the attacks that prompted the referral to the IOPC, police confirmed.

The IOPC confirmed the move and said: “We are assessing the referral to decide what further action may be required of the IOPC.”

The suspect was Tasered and arrested after leaving a van and approaching officers with a knife, police said.

The force said it was still working alongside counter-terrorism policing and keeping an “open mind” on the motives behind these attacks.

A statement added: “A team of dedicated detectives is continuing to question the suspect and building up a strong picture of what happened that morning.

“This has included CCTV gathering, forensics, eyewitness accounts and searching a number of properties in the city.”

Thousands of students, along with Mr Webber’s and Ms O’Malley-Kumar’s families, attended a vigil at the University of Nottingham on Wednesday evening.

The fathers of the two students paid emotional tributes to their children, taking to the podium despite being overcome with grief.

Ms O’Malley-Kumar’s father Sanjoy told the students to look after each other, while Mr Webber’s father David said: “I’ve lost my baby boy.”

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.

Related Topics