Cambridgeshire Police joins expansion of Raneem's Law
Cambridgeshire Constabulary is set to strengthen its response to domestic abuse after being selected to join a national scheme
Cambridgeshire Constabulary is set to strengthen its response to domestic abuse after being selected to join a national scheme.
The force is among 12 chosen to take part in the expansion of Raneem’s Law, which embeds specialists in police control rooms to provide live support
From this month, four Domestic Abuse Proactive Support Specialists (DAPSS) are due to begin working in the constabulary’s control room, providing immediate support to victims and advice to officers when responding to incidents.
The specialists will review risk assessments, offer real-time advice to officers, and help ensure opportunities to safeguard victims are not missed.
Raneem’s Law builds on existing work in the constabulary, including the Early Intervention Domestic Abuse Desk (EIDAD), which is based in the force control room.
The dedicated team reviews all domestic abuse incidents, examines perpetrator history and child protection concerns, identifies high-risk cases, and provides safeguarding advice to call handlers and attending officers.
Raneem’s Law, named in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, who were murdered by Raneem’s ex-husband in Solihull in August 2018, was initially rolled out across five forces last year.
The initiative was introduced by the Home Office after it emerged that on the night she was killed, Raneem made four 999 calls, but police were unable to respond in time.
Superintendent Nick Church said: “We are pleased to have been selected as a pilot force for the expansion of Raneem’s Law. This is an important step in further strengthening our response to domestic abuse and the support we provide to those affected.
“Our Early Intervention Domestic Abuse Desk has already demonstrated the value of early risk identification. By introducing additional specialist support within our control room, we can build on this, helping officers better understand risk at the earliest opportunity and take informed action to protect victims.
“We know it can be incredibly difficult for people experiencing domestic abuse to reach out. This approach helps ensure that when they do, they are met with the right support at the earliest possible moment, with their safety at the centre of everything we do.”
To find out more about domestic abuse, the support available and how to report concerns, visit the dedicated domestic abuse pages on the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website.