Latest news with #Oudeh
BBC News
07-04-2025
- BBC News
Northamptonshire Police to run domestic abuse 999 pilot
A force has been chosen to pilot a new service, set up following the murders of a mother and daughter by the younger woman's Police will have domestic abuse specialists in its 999 control room as part of an initiative known as Raneem's Law to improve police response to domestic Law was set up by the Home Office following the murders in 2018 of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem by Ms Oudeh's force introduced a similar scheme in 2021 and said it was "hugely effective". One of the specialists, Cerri Glynane, said people who used the service "can know that there is hope and there will be a change that can happen."Janbaz Tarin, from Sparkhill, in Birmingham, hunted the two women down after Ms Oudeh broke up with him because he had a secret wife and children in Independent Office of Police Conduct found that the police had failed to carry out satisfactory intelligence checks when Ms Oudeh reported her husband's scheme in 2021 involved crisis advisors working in control rooms and dealing with incidents as they come in, as well as going out with police officers to incidents that were under way. The advisors also went to scheduled appointments. Cerri Glynane has been in the Northamptonshire control room since said: "We're ensuring that we're giving extra information to the police if [the victim is] known to us, what the history is, what the risks are, because we could hold information that's been known to us previously that the police might not know."We can say 'we're really concerned now about the risks posed to that person' and the action we feel would be suitable for the police to take."She said the service offered victims "emotional support", adding: "Those people have been living in fear for such a long time, not knowing that there is a way out." Det Supt Joe Banfield said: "We are delighted to have been chosen as a pilot force for Raneem's law."He said the independent specialist advisors in control rooms had "already proved to be hugely effective, and through the Raneem's Law pilot, we are able to increase the support being offered, safeguard more victims and hopefully prevent repeated abuse". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Domestic abuse 999 pilot launched after murders
Domestic 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. Nour 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." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. 'Raneem's Law' plan welcomed after women's murders Labour: 999 centres need domestic abuse specialists Abused, killed. Let down. The families demanding change Victim feared baby would be taken away - inquest Man jailed for murdering ex and her mum Home Office Labour Party
BBC News
21-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Raneem's Law: Domestic abuse 999 pilot launched after murders
Domestic abuse specialists are to be embedded in the 999 control rooms of five police forces with the aim of providing better support for 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 Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the move as part of a bid by the Labour Party to "overhaul" emergency responses by the police to domestic 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 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 the night they were killed by Tarin, Ms Oudeh called the force four times to report concerns about her 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. Nour 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." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Guardian
21-02-2025
- The Guardian
Pilot of domestic abuse experts helping in 999 call rooms begins in England
Domestic abuse specialists embedded in control rooms receiving 999 emergency calls will help 'create force-wide cultural change', said Jess Phillips as the first phase of 'Raneem's law' was rolled out across England. The new law is named in memory of Raneem Oudeh, who was killed alongside her mother, Khaola Saleem, in Solihull by Oudeh's ex-husband, whom she had reported to the police at least seven times, as well as making four 999 calls on the night she was murdered. An inquest found police failings 'materially contributed' to their deaths. The new policy, which will involve domestic abuse specialists working in 999 control rooms to give feedback on responses to emergency calls, is being piloted in five police forces, and could be rolled out across the whole of England and Wales by the end of the year. The pilot is taking place in the Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Humberside forces, as well as in the West Midlands, where police handled Oudeh's case. Speaking at the launch event at the West Midlands police central operations hub, Nour Norris, Oudeh's aunt and Saleem's sister, who has been campaigning for change on their behalf, said: 'I felt really overwhelmed because this is where it really took place for my niece. It's quite emotional being here. 'But this will save people's lives; it's as simple as that. There is no underestimating this at all. We can't do anything to bring them back. But their legacy, Raneem's legacy, will live for ever. She wasn't heard when she was alive. But through every victim, she will be heard.' Norris previously said police showed a 'dismissive attitude and a lack of understanding about domestic violence' in their dealings with Oudeh, including telling her to deal with the problem herself. At the launch, she praised the force for 'transforming their failure into something that is hopefully going to be positive'. Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, and the MP for Birmingham Yardley, said she was 'haunted' by Oudeh's story. 'I live constantly with the feeling that I just wish that she'd called me,' she said. 'I wish that I could say that what we are doing here would have changed the outcome for Raneem, but I don't know. But the haunting of that and the activism of Nour will keep us trying.' She said having the specialists in control rooms would create 'a better service for victims'. 'You can already sense a cultural shift in the team, even just the language they use to speak to people,' she said. 'I think this has the opportunity to create force-wide cultural change that's really needed.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Domestic abuse specialists from local charities will sit at desks alongside call handlers, listening in live to 999 calls and also giving feedback on recordings of calls, providing training to staff and signposting to tailored support. Supt Jack Hadley, the deputy head of force contact at West Midlands police, said: 'I think this is a very early step to something that could transform how we deal with domestic abuse victims. 'We've never had a third party come in and see this part of our business before. So it is unique. It's very transparent, very open and laying ourselves bare, if you like, for the charities to come and use their expertise to help us.' The 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.'
Sky News
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Domestic abuse specialists placed in 999 control rooms after women's murders
The first domestic violence specialists have been placed in 999 control rooms in memory of a woman who was murdered by her ex-husband despite ringing police on the night she died. Raneem's Law has been launched in five pilot areas - West Midlands, Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Humberside. The legislation - promised in Labour's manifesto - is named after 22-year-old Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, 49, who were murdered by Ms Oudeh's ex-husband in August 2018. Ms Oudeh had called 999 more than a dozen times in the months leading up to her death, including to report threats to kill her, but police did not log the reports correctly, did not follow up and did not assess them correctly. On the night she was killed, she rang 999 four times but the police did not respond in time. The new domestic abuse specialists will ensure that calls for help are properly assessed, managed and responded to, the government said. Their duties will include advising on risk assessments, making referrals to specialist services and identifying missed opportunities to safeguard victims. The first phase will inform plans for a national rollout across 43 police forces in England and Wales and will be underpinned by £2.2m funding over the next financial year. 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." 1:05 On the night she died, Ms Oudeh was told to go to her mother's house and officers would visit her the next day. She was on the phone to West Midlands Police when she was stabbed by Janbaz Tarin, her estranged husband, one of the many calls she had made about him that night. Ms Oudeh had broken up with her husband in the weeks before the attack after discovering he had three children and a secret wife who was pregnant with a fourth child in Afghanistan. Tarin admitted the murders and was jailed for life with a minimum of 32 years in December 2018. An inquest found the police force "materially contributed" to their deaths. Five officers were disciplined over the failures. Nour Norris, Ms Oudeh's aunt and Mrs Saleem's sister who has been campaigning to improve outcomes for domestic abuse victims, said today's announcement would help save lives. "Raneem called for help, and today, the system finally answered," she said.
