West Midlands domestic abuse scheme expanded to seven days a week

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 15:56 · Archive

West Midlands Police has expanded Raneem's Law, which embeds domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms, to operate seven days a week.

An initiative ensuring domestic violence victims receive expert support when calling West Midlands Police has been expanded. Raneem's Law embeds independent domestic abuse specialists into 999 control rooms. Previously, in Phase One, the service operated from Monday to Thursday. It is now being operated seven days a week, including days and late cover.

BirminghamLive reports that charity and voluntary organisations had faced challenges staffing around the clock. To address this, the scheme is being supplemented by trained police staff who have completed the SafeLives programme. Chief Superintendent Tony Hawkins noted that charities' contracts typically cover Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, making weekend and evening coverage difficult.

According to Hawkins, the expanded service involves listening to calls and reviewing their risk gradings to ensure they are appropriately assessed. If staff identify that a risk has not been graded correctly, feedback is provided to individual officers and supervisors to identify themes and trends in what may have been missed.

At a West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner accountability and governance board meeting, Victims Advocate Natalie Queiroz raised questions about how the expansion of Raneem's Law had been embedded into the force's work. Hawkins stated: 'I'm really happy we're seeing that. We listen to calls, look at the gradings ensuring we've got that risk appropriately.'

How it is being reported

• Increased hours for vital scheme supporting domestic abuse victims in the West MidlandsCalls to police from domestic abuse victims are being monitored around the clockBirminghamLive · 29 Oct, 15:37
• West Midlands domestic abuse scheme expandedIn Phase One, the service operated from Monday to Thursday but it has now been expanded.Express & Star · 29 Oct, 15:23
• West Midlands domestic abuse scheme expandedIn Phase One, the service operated from Monday to Thursday but it has now been expanded.Birmingham World · 29 Oct, 15:23

In this story: West Midlands Police · Raneem's Law · SafeLives · West Midlands

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