Domestic abuse specialists are to be embedded in 12 more police 999 control rooms across England and Wales under Raneem's Law, a scheme named after a murdered Solihull woman. The Home Office has pledged that every police force will have such specialists by 2029.
Family's Pride and Hope
Nour Norris, whose niece Raneem Oudeh, 22, and sister Khaola Saleem, 49, were murdered by Ms Oudeh's ex-partner Janbaz Tarin in 2018, said she was "incredibly proud" of the expansion. Ms Norris said: "When my sister Khaola and my niece Raneem called for help, they should have been heard, understood and protected. Instead, our family lost two beautiful lives in circumstances that should never have happened."
Ms Oudeh had called West Midlands Police four times on the night of the murders, and the force had previously responded to ten domestic abuse incidents linked to the case. An inquest found mistakes by the force had "materially contributed" to the deaths. Five officers were disciplined.
Scheme Expansion
The latest expansion brings the total number of control rooms with specialists to 17, including Thames Valley, West Yorkshire, Essex, Merseyside and North Wales. The experts advise officers responding to incidents, review incoming domestic abuse cases and risk assessments, listen to live calls, and train staff. They also support video call responses to victims.
Ms Norris added: "Every step forward for Raneem's Law is deeply emotional for me because it comes from unimaginable pain and loss. Knowing that 12 more police forces will have domestic abuse specialists in their 999 control rooms gives me hope that other families may be spared the heartbreak that ours live with every day."
Government Commitment
Natalie Fleet, minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, said: "Last year, one in eight women experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. No society that tolerates this level of violence can claim to be safe for women. That's why we are rolling out the pioneering Raneem's Law to another 12 police forces in England and Wales, because every victim – no matter where they live – should be able to rely on a system that truly supports them."
The Home Office has committed to deploying specialists across all forces by 2029. Ms Norris said: "Raneem's Law is more than a policy. It is a legacy built on love for my sister and niece and on the determination that their voices, and the voices of all victims of domestic abuse, are never ignored again."
