West Midlands Police has extended the specialist domestic abuse advisor service operating within its 999 control rooms, under legislation named in memory of a Solihull mother and daughter murdered in 2018.
The force confirmed this week that its team of dedicated domestic abuse specialists will now be available across seven days a week, including out-of-hours evening cover, following the recruitment of additional expert support from the West Midlands Domestic Abuse Consortium.
The service operates under Raneem’s Law, introduced last year and named after Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, who were killed in Solihull in 2018 by Raneem’s former partner. The legislation was designed to strengthen the police response to domestic abuse by embedding trained specialists alongside call handlers, helping them assess risk and act more quickly when calls come in.
West Midlands Police was one of five forces nationally chosen to trial the approach when it launched in March 2025. Since then, specialists from Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid and Coventry Haven Women’s Aid have reviewed more than 7,700 domestic abuse-related calls to the force.
Detective Superintendent Adam Jobson, of the force’s Public Protection Unit, said tackling domestic abuse remained a priority, with officers focused on safeguarding victims, signposting them to further support, and pursuing perpetrators. He said the specialist advisors’ knowledge of risk factors and warning signs was helping the force manage and respond to calls more effectively, and welcomed the expansion as a way of offering victims across the West Midlands more tailored support.
The improvements have been funded by the Home Office as part of a wider rollout of Raneem’s Law to a further 12 police forces across the country. Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster this week announced a £440,820 investment package to support the service locally.
Anyone experiencing abuse is urged not to suffer in silence. People should call 999 if they are in danger, if threats have been made against them, or if a crime is in progress. Those unable to speak during a 999 call can press 55 after dialling to alert operators silently.
Support is also available through local domestic abuse services, listed via the No Excuse for Abuse website, while anyone concerned about their own behaviour, or that of a loved one, can contact the Respect Phoneline on 0808 802 4040.
