West Midlands Police control centres to get domestic-abuse experts

West Midlands Police is one of five forces that will trial a new scheme to improve the way they respond to domestic abuse cases.

The scheme forms part of Raneem's Law, a new Government initiative named in memory of West Midland domestic-abuse victim Raneem Oudeh, murdered by her estranged husband in 2018.

The measures will see the force employ specialists in domestic abuse to deliver a more informed response. Experts embedded in 999 control rooms will advise on risk assessments, make referrals to specialist services and identify missed opportunities to safeguard victims.

The trial scheme will be used to test the scheme ahead of it being implemented across all 43 forces across England and Wales, with a target of halving violence against women and girls in a decade.

It follows a commitment made in Labour's manifesto at the General Election.

Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Humberside Police are the other forces taking part in the trial.

Domestic abuse specialists will ensure that calls for help are properly assessed, managed and responded to.

Their duties will include providing advice to officers responding to incidents on the ground, reviewing incoming domestic abuse cases, and listening in to live calls and providing feedback to call handlers.

They will also provide training for control-room staff, ensure victims are referred to specialist support services, and identify any missed opportunities to protect victims.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Every 30 seconds, someone calls the police about domestic abuse – over 100 people every hour seeking urgent help.

“That’s why we are determined to overhaul the police emergency response to domestic abuse, making sure that victims get the specialist support and protection they need. That must be Raneem and Khaola’s legacy."

Raneem, 22, had called police more than a dozen times to report violence from her estranged husband Janbaz Tarin. On the night of her death, she had called the police four times, and was on the telephone to them when Tarin murdered her and her mother Khaola Saleem.

Miss Cooper added: “West Midlands 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.”

She said for too long, crimes disproportionately impacting women and girls have not been met with the specialist response they require.

Domestic abuse affected more than two million people every year, with the police receiving a call about it every 30 seconds on average. But it is estimated that only one in five victims actually report incidents to police.

Nour Norris, who was Khaola's sister and Raneem's aunt, said the announcement was a deeply emotional moment for her.

“Raneem called for help, and today, the system finally answered," she said.

"After six relentless years of campaigning for justice, I am returning to the force that failed my sister, Khaola, and my niece, Raneem.

"West Midlands Police had the chance to save them. Raneem called 999, desperate for help, but the system did not listen. It did not act. And because of that failure, we lost them. 

“I refuse to point fingers or place blame. I believed in change, and I believed in people wanting that to happen. Working alongside the government and the police, especially West Midlands Police has been a journey of change. Raneem’s Law is now being implemented, and with it, a fundamental shift in how victims of domestic abuse are supported.

"We cannot wait for another tragedy. We must build the safeguards that should have been there all along. And while nothing will bring Khaola and Raneem back, their voices, struggles, and sacrifices have led to a law that will save lives. Their legacy will live forever.”

The news follows an announcement earlier this month of a new £13 million intelligence-led national policing centre for England and Wales, which will bring together around 100 officers to focus on tackling crimes such as domestic abuse, stalking, rape and sexual offences and ensure that victims are protected.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Jess Phillips said: "Raneem's death showed us the devastating cost of missed opportunities.

"Behind every 999 call is someone's daughter, mother, sister or friend in fear. That's why getting the response right the first time, every time, is absolutely crucial. Embedding specialism and expertise into 999 control rooms will ensure that when victims make that brave call for help, they get the expert response they need."

The Birmingham Yardley MP added: "Working alongside Nour has shown me the true meaning of courage and determination. Her fight for Raneem's Law, to change things for victims of domestic abuse before it is too late, will save lives. We are determined to halve violence against women and girls in a decade and won't stop until every victim, up and down the country, gets the protection they deserve.”