Latest news with #Raneem
Daily Mirror
02-08-2025
- Daily Mirror
Woman murdered by ex made THIRTEEN chilling calls to police but no-one came to help
After Janbaz Tarin stabbed his ex Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem to death in 2018, Khaola's sister Nour Norris campaigned for a new law to ensure no other domestic abuse victim would be failed by the police again It was a murder which shocked Britain - when a domestic abuse victim, who had already made nine desperate calls to the police, was murdered by her violent ex while begging for help again - for the fifth time that night. Janbaz Tarin, 21, stabbed Raneem Oudeh, 22, to death, and brutally killed her mother, Khaola Saleem, 49, too. To add to their families' pain, police had to apologise after an inquest found their errors 'materially contributed' to the women's deaths. Many at the time might have rolled their eyes at another police force pledging that 'lessons will be learnt'. But today, standing in the West Midlands 999 control room where Raheem's last ever call was taken, we are seeing those promises put into action. It comes after The Mirror's Justice for Our Daughters campaign launched to highlight awareness of domestic violence. I am here with Nour Norris, Raneem's aunt and Khaola's sister, who ever since their deaths has fought to ensure no other women crying out to the police for help are failed again. Desperate Raneem had made four 999 calls before the police finally phoned her back - and heard she and her mother being murdered while on the line. Tarin was jailed for life. Over the past six years, grieving Nour has not only shed light on the gross inadequacies of an organisation that should be protecting victims, but has also successfully campaigned for positive change. Raneem's Law - a groundbreaking domestic violence specialist police response that is now in action at the Birmingham operations hub base of the UK's second largest force. Seeing firsthand the results of her campaigning, Nour, 46, says: 'Being here brings out so many mixed emotions in me. 'The mistakes that took my sister and niece's lives were made in this room. But other women are now getting the support they deserve. So much has changed since Raneem called this centre. Knowing that brings happiness to my sadness.' Backed and supported by Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, the Government announced last year it would fund Raneem's Law in targeted police forces. Raneem's Law is live in the West Midlands, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Northumberland, and Humberside. Domestic abuse specialists in these 999 control rooms advise on risk assessments and work with officers on the ground, to ensure that victims get a fast response when needed and are referred to support services as quickly as possible. Mother and daughter Khaola and Raneem, were both killed in the frenzied knife attack outside Khaola's home in Solihull on August 27, 2018. In the weeks leading up to the murders, Tarin repeatedly harassed and made death threats to Raneem, and she made desperate pleas to the police for help, but none were answered. Her blood-curdling screams can be heard on the recording of that fateful final call. On The Mirror 's visit, there are 90 call handlers taking 999 and 101 calls from across the West Midlands. As information screens across the room show, 5- 6000 calls are handled daily. Up to 200 of these calls are domestic violence-related and Raneem's Law strives to give each of these calls a specialist response. For 'preventing violence against women and girls' in delivering Raneem's Law, Nour was made an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours List. The mum of five is now also a 2025 Pride of Britain award nominee. Nour introduces me to Vulnerability Desk Lead Mair Mason who is leading the West Midlands' implementation of Raneem's Law which began in March this year. Call handlers assisted by domestic violence charities now have 'professional curiosity in identifying risks,' she says. The Vulnerability desk which previously only focused on mental health-related calls. acts as 'quality control' for domestic abuse calls. On the desk today is call handler Tara Hobley, now a specially trained Domestic Abuse Liaison Officer. Next to Tara is an advisor from Coventry Haven Women's Aid. The charity works on a rota basis with Birmingham and Solhull Women's Aid as independent advisors. The Women's Aid advocate and Tara scroll through incoming logs - looking for any marked domestic violence, so they can listen in and ensure all appropriate risk assessments are done. Tara explains, 'When we come across a DV call on the log, we will dial into those calls, and make the contact handler aware that we are listening in. 'We are there to provide advice if needed and will also assist with risk identification and making sure that everything that we need—any orders, specifically non-molestation orders and stalking protection orders—is identified and included in the log. 'So when officers attend, they've got access to the information to make an informed decision in the best interest of the victim.' Mair adds, 'Every effort is made to filter such calls to the Vulnerable Desk so they can be picked up easily on the log, with information to call back if necessary and a clear record of times that person has called.' As Tara shows me on her computer screen, there is also a mapping system so police can see, even if someone calls through from a different number, what other instances have happened in that area: 'So even if we can't make a link through the telephone number, there are other ways that we can see, oh, maybe this is related to that call.' In Raneem's case, one of the most shocking failures was there was no record of her previous calls. Nour says: 'The whole system in place was not fit for purpose. None of Raneem's calls were linked. Every time it was counted as a new call. There was no record, no follow up. 'She had made four 999 calls before the police finally called her back - and heard her being murdered.' The recording of that fateful final police call was heard at the 2022 inquest. It found that mistakes by West Midlands Police 'materially contributed' to the tragedy. Police had responded to 10 domestic abuse incidents linked to Tarin. Five officers were disciplined over failings. Raneem had fled to the UK from war torn Syria in 2014 and found herself in a new hell - in a violent marriage. After getting a restraining order against Tarin, Raneem had moved back into her mum's Solihull house, where her younger sister also lived. Nour who lives in Solihull close to her sister's home, says: ' Raheem had called the police several times because he was breaking the order and harassing her, but he was never arrested or cautioned. That emboldened him. He realised he could get away with it—she told me, he told her, 'They listen to me, so why are they going to believe you?' The night they died, they had visited Nour. She recalls: 'I had a horrible feeling something would happen. I made lots of food because I wanted them to stay with me.' Raneem and Khaola returned home, and later Nour received a devastating call: ' My other niece who was 14 at the time, witnessed the attacks and called me. When I got there, Khaola was already gone, but Raneem was in the ambulance and the paramedics were trying to revive her. I was taken inside the house, but the ambulance was not moving. I realised then that Raneem was dead.' She adds: 'There were dozens of police cars outside when they died. But why couldn't they bring just one police car when they were alive? One police officer could have saved them.' In a matter of months, the difference in the police approach is like 'day and night,' says Mair: 'There have been so many positive changes with regard to police culture and working practice since March. 'It's been so beneficial for us to be working with domestic violence charities at the early stage,' says Mair. Women's Aid has worked with police on incidents previously, but never before Raneem's Law, had such pioneering early intervention access. Mair explains: 'A call that came through a couple of weeks ago - we could see from the log that the partner was now in custody and the victim was known to the charity. 'She had been struggling to find a time to call them previously because she lived with her abuser, but now we could safely call that person to get some safeguarding in place. 'Also, our collective knowledge, within the contact centre, wasn't where it could be with regards to non fatal strangulation. There were so many risks that we were not aware of previously. We've learned a lot in the past six months. 'For example, in another 999 call where the woman was being harassed by her ex-partner, he had also strangled her a few days prior, leaving injuries. Live-time advice from the charity was provided to the Call Handler to advise the caller to seek urgent medical attention.' Women's Aid advises domestic abuse survivors to seek urgent medical attention following pressure to the neck area is essential, 'whether they have any detectable injuries or not, and it is a key indicator of a potential domestic homicide.' Although brought in as a pilot scheme, West Midlands Police say they are committed to securing its long-term status. 'I know the Home Office has been looking at how everything is going across the different forces, and I have a meeting with them next week, but it 's our full intention that even should the Home Office pilot come to an end, we will still continue this work and make it permanent,' says Mair. Since the attack, Nour who backs The Mirror's Justice For Our Daughters Campaign, retrained as a psychotherapist. She also leads domestic abuse training workshops through the organisation SecureLife. She says:'The system wasn't fair to Raneem and Khaola, but through them, other people will not suffer the same way - and that wlll save lives. They have left a powerful legacy.' Although never proven, there were 'question marks' over how much ethnicity played a part in the botched handling of Raneem's case. Nour adds: ' At the inquest, we saw mainly that it was failings of handling domestic abuse cases coming through. 'But those question marks should no longer exist because of Raneem's Law - everyone is now accountable for what they do, everyone has to follow through and do their duty- to protect victims. My dream is to see Raneem's Law embedded in every 999 control room in the country.'
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Good Morning Britain's Kate Garraway feels ‘overwhelming rage' in heartbreaking interview
Good Morning Britain's Adil Ray and Kate Garraway discussed Raneem's Law, which is coming into place this week. The law was named after Raneem Oudeh, who was tragically murdered in 2018 alongside her mother by her ex-partner. Detailing the law's implementation, Adil questioned Raneem's aunt, Nour Norris, about whether she felt any sort of salvation that Raneem's law would make a difference. Nour Norris replied: "It's not going to bring them back. But at the same time, there are a lot of victims out there who are desperate for help, and they never used to get the help they deserve, just like Raneem. But today, hopefully, this hope will bring a light to their lives." READ MORE: Christine McGuinness makes heartbreaking 'friend' confession as she shares 'struggles' READ MORE: Naga Munchetty shuts down BBC Breakfast co-star saying 'I don't want to hear it' She explained that safeguarding shouldn't be a luxury but something everybody deserves. She added, "We must have that system in place to support and help victims." While speaking to Nour, Kate said: "So powerful, the way you put it, and so graceful to have that, because when you hear that call, I feel an overwhelming sense of rage and frustration; I'm sure you do as well, and have done." According to Raneem's law will embed the first domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms. To ensure victims receive specialist support, it will happen across five forces in England: West Midlands, Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, and Humberside. A statement reads: "These domestic abuse specialists will ensure that calls for help are properly assessed." The law was established in memory of Raneem after she was tragically killed at the age of 22. Raneem had made 13 reports to the authorities regarding her concerns. However, no arrests were made. She rang 999 on the night that she was murdered four times, but sadly, the police did not respond in time. During Friday's Good Morning Britain, ITV viewers heard one of Raneem's calls. She could be heard by the 999 operator telling her to return to her mother's home and call if her ex-husband turned up. She said: "That's the problem when I'm calling, they're not coming quickly." When the call ended, Kate confessed that it made her feel "sick" listening to it and knowing what happened afterwards. Speaking about Raneem's Law on Good Morning Britain, MP Jess Phillips added: "What we hope to see is a cultural change within the call centres. "What we have to do is look at cases like Raneem's and read the inquests in these cases and the domestic homicide reviews. For too long, I've listened to politicians, police chiefs or whoever it is, say, 'Lessons will be learned', then nothing seems to change. "They say lessons will be changed until the next case that we hear about. This is a direct response to what we learnt in Raneem's case, what we have to do is try and find every entry point that a victim of domestic abuse goes to and in this instance, we're talking about the criminal justice system." Good Morning Britain continues weekdays on ITV from 6am.
The Independent
21-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Domestic abuse specialists introduced to 999 rooms after woman stabbed to death by ex-partner
Domestic abuse specialists are to be embedded in 999 control rooms in five police forces to provide better support for victims, as the family of a woman murdered by an ex-partner welcomed the 'fundamental shift'. Raneem Oudeh, 22, and her mother Khaola Saleem, 49, were murdered by Ms Oudeh's ex-partner Janbaz Tarin in 2018, after she repeatedly called the police to report concerns for her safety. Her aunt, Nour Norris, has said that the implementation of the scheme showed that their 'voices, struggles and sacrifices have led to a law that will save lives'. Labour had made the commitment in its election manifesto and Ms Norris said: 'This moment proves that change only happens when we refuse to accept failure.' Four years after the murders, an inquest into their deaths found mistakes made by West Midlands Police had 'materially contributed' to their deaths at the hands of Janbaz Tarin. Tarin, who was 21 at the time of the attack on Northdown Road, Solihull, was jailed for life in December 2018 with a minimum term of 32 years. On the night of the murders, Ms Oudeh had called West Midlands Police four times to register concerns for her safety, and the force had previously responded to 10 domestic abuse incidents linked to the case. Five officers were disciplined over the failures, which Ms Oudeh's family described as 'beyond imagination'. Ms Norris visited West Midlands Police's control room in Birmingham with safeguarding minister Jess Phillips this week. Ms Norris said: 'Raneem called for help, and today the system finally answered. 'I can't express enough how deeply emotional and significant this moment is. '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.' She said she was refusing to 'point fingers or place blame', instead choosing to believe change would come in the aftermath. Ms Norris added: '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. '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. This moment proves that change only happens when we refuse to accept failure. 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.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said an 'overhaul' of how police emergency rooms respond to domestic abuse 'must be Raneem and Khaola's legacy'. She 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. '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.' Ms Phillips paid tribute to Ms Norris for her 'courage and determination' and said her fight to 'change things for victims of domestic abuse before it is too late will save lives'. Among the duties of the embedded experts will be giving advice to officers responding to incidents on the ground; reviewing incoming domestic abuse cases and their risk assessments; and listening in to live calls before giving feedback to call handlers. They will also train force control room staff on domestic abuse and support the use of technology, including responding to victims with a video call. National Police Chiefs' Council lead for domestic abuse, Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, said: 'It's important that we are both evidence and victim-led in our approach, and I would like to thank the victims and survivors, families and support organisations that continue to work with us to improve policing's response to domestic abuse.'
The Independent
21-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Campaigner says domestic abuse law in niece's name ‘will save lives'
The aunt of a woman murdered by an ex-partner has welcomed a 'fundamental shift in how victims of domestic abuse are supported' as specialists are embedded in 999 control rooms across some police forces. Nour Norris, whose niece Raneem Oudeh, 22, and sister Khaola Saleem, 49, were murdered by Ms Oudeh's ex-partner in 2018, said their 'voices, struggles, and sacrifices have led to a law that will save lives'. The Home Office said that, under Raneem's Law, domestic abuse specialists will work in emergency control rooms in five forces – West Midlands, Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Humberside Police. Labour had made the commitment in its election manifesto and Ms Norris said: 'This moment proves that change only happens when we refuse to accept failure.' Four years after the murders, an inquest into their deaths found mistakes made by West Midlands Police had 'materially contributed' to their deaths at the hands of Janbaz Tarin. Tarin, who was 21 at the time of the attack on Northdown Road, Solihull, was jailed for life in December 2018 with a minimum term of 32 years. On the night of the murders, Ms Oudeh had called West Midlands Police four times to register concerns for her safety, and the force had previously responded to 10 domestic abuse incidents linked to the case. Five officers were disciplined over the failures, which Ms Oudeh's family described as 'beyond imagination'. Ms Norris visited West Midlands Police's control room in Birmingham with safeguarding minister Jess Phillips this week. Ms Norris said: 'Raneem called for help, and today the system finally answered. 'I can't express enough how deeply emotional and significant this moment is. '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.' She said she was refusing to 'point fingers or place blame', instead choosing to believe change would come in the aftermath. Ms Norris added: '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. '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. 'This moment proves that change only happens when we refuse to accept failure. 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.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said an 'overhaul' of how police emergency rooms respond to domestic abuse 'must be Raneem and Khaola's legacy'. She 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. '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.' Ms Phillips paid tribute to Ms Norris for her 'courage and determination' and said her fight to 'change things for victims of domestic abuse before it is too late will save lives'. Among the duties of the embedded experts will be giving advice to officers responding to incidents on the ground; reviewing incoming domestic abuse cases and their risk assessments; and listening in to live calls before giving feedback to call handlers. They will also train force control room staff on domestic abuse and support the use of technology, including responding to victims with a video call. National Police Chiefs' Council lead for domestic abuse, Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, said: 'It's important that we are both evidence and victim-led in our approach, and I would like to thank the victims and survivors, families and support organisations that continue to work with us to improve policing's response to domestic abuse.'
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
