WEST Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, has announced a major £440,000 investment to permanently embed domestic abuse (DA) specialists within West Midlands Police 999 control rooms.
The Home Office funding, secured by the Commissioner, expands a groundbreaking initiative piloted last year under Raneem’s Law, ensuring victims receive immediate, expert support when calling the police in an emergency.
Raneem’s Law was introduced in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother, Khaola Saleem, who were tragically murdered by Raneem’s ex-partner in 2018.
The law aims to transform the emergency response to domestic violence by placing specialist advisors directly alongside police call handlers to improve risk assessments and accelerate early interventions.
During the initial pilot phase between March 2025 and March 2026, dedicated specialists from Coventry Haven Women’s Aid and Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid (BSWA) reviewed almost 5,000 domestic abuse-related calls.
Following the success of the pilot this new funding will expand the service to boost out-of-hours coverage and support a higher volume of victims.
The £440,820 injection directly underlines the PCC’s commitment to preventing and tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), which stands as a core priority within his Police and Crime Plan 2025–2029.
Mr Foster said: The pilot of Raneem’s Law has been an overwhelming success, allowing for earlier intervention and transforming how we respond to victims in moments of crisis when they are in the greatest need.
“This £440,820 investment ensures that expert, trauma-informed specialists remain in our control rooms and are available when victims need them most, including vital out-of-hours periods.
“Raneem’s Law is a lasting legacy to Raneem Oudeh and Khaola Saleem. We owe it to their memory to ensure our emergency response is as robust and supportive as possible.
:Preventing and tackling Violence Against Women and Girls remains a top priority in my Police and Crime Plan, and I am fully committed to delivering the systemic change required to protect the vulnerable and save lives across the West Midlands.”
West Midlands Victims’ Advocate, Natalie Queiroz MBE, added: “Having specialist domestic abuse advisors directly in the control room has been, and continues to be, hugely positive for victims reaching out for help.
“This funding expansion is an immensely significant enhancement of this service, supporting victims at critical moments ‘out of hours’ by ensuring early, expert risk assessment during these times.”
Elaine Yates, CEO of service provider Coventry Haven Women’s Aid, said: “Raneem’s Law represents a commitment to doing things differently – to listening to women and acting earlier, faster and more effectively when they reach out for help.
“This next phase strengthens partnership working across the West Midlands and ensures that victims of domestic abuse receive the specialist, compassionate support they deserve at the moment they need it most.”
