Domestic abuse 999 pilot launched after murders
22 minutes agoWill JeffordBBC News, West Midlands
FamilyDomestic abuse specialists are to be embedded in the 999 control rooms of five police forces with the aim of providing better support for victims.
The pilot, known as “Raneem’s Law”, comes after Raneem Oudeh, 22, was murdered along with her mother Khaola Saleem at the hands of Ms Oudeh’s ex-partner Janbaz Tarin, in 2018.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the move as part of a bid by the Labour Party to “overhaul” emergency responses by the police to domestic abuse.
The specialists will join the control rooms for the West Midlands, Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Humberside forces.
The government has confirmed there will be £2.2m made available to fund the first stages of Raneem’s Law over the next financial year.
In 2024 Cooper, who was then shadow home secretary, had floated the idea of the initiative after what she called “missed opportunities” by agencies to protect the two women, who were killed in Solihull.
In November 2022, an inquest concluded mistakes made by West Midlands Police “materially contributed” to their deaths.
On the night they were killed by Tarin, Ms Oudeh called the force four times to report concerns about her safety.
It had previously responded to 10 domestic abuse incidents linked to violence at Tarin’s hands and five officers have been subsequently disciplined over the force’s failings.
Graham HodsonNour Norris, lead campaigner, aunt and sister of Ms Oudeh and Ms Saleem, said: “Raneem deserved the help she needed, my sister, Khaola, who broke my heart because she was caught in all of this, deserved to live around her children.
“This is not just about saving lives; it is also about ensuring that victims who survive have the chance to truly live, free from fear and harm.
“They deserve safety, dignity, and a future. We cannot wait for another tragedy. We must build the safeguards that should have been there all along.”
As part of the pilot, the specialists will review incoming domestic abuse calls and offer advice to officers responding to incidents on the ground.
They will also facilitate training sessions on domestic abuse for force control room staff and ensure victims are referred to specialist support services.
Speaking after announcing the new policy, Cooper said: “West Midlands Police has been determined to learn the lessons from the way Raneem and her mother were so badly failed and it is welcome that they, Bedfordshire, Humberside, Northumbria and Northamptonshire are all pioneering this ambitious approach to deliver the best possible response to victims at the worst time of their lives.
“We need to change the future for others, where we couldn’t for Raneem, as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.”
It is hoped these first five specialists will help facilitate a national roll-out across all 43 police forces across England and Wales.
Minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, Jess Phillips, said Raneem’s death showed the “devastating cost of missed opportunities”.
“Working alongside Nour has shown me the true meaning of courage and determination,” she said.
“Her fight for Raneem’s Law, to change things for victims of domestic abuse before it is too late, will save lives.”
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