Bedfordshire Police to trial domestic violence specialists in 999 control rooms
It is one of five police forces across the country to pilot the introduction of experts to best respond to domestic violence callouts
Bedfordshire Police has been selected as a pilot force for a new initiative aimed at improving responses to domestic violence cases.
The scheme is being brought as part of Raneem’s Law, and will introduce specialist independent domestic violence advisors (IDVA) within the force’s 999 control rooms to enhance risk assessment and victim support.
Detective Chief Superintendent Zara Brown, Head of Public Protection and Crime at Bedfordshire Police, said: "I'm really pleased that Bedfordshire Police are a pilot force for Raneem's Law.
"We understand the complexities attached to domestic abuse and having a specialist work within our control room will hopefully enhance the focus further and continue to contribute to focusing on the violence against women and girls agenda, which is a national focus."
Raneem Oudeh was 22 when she and her mother Khaola Saleem, 49, were murdered by Raneem’s ex-partner, Janbaz Tarin.
Raneem had called 999 fourteen times in the months leading up to her murder to report incidents of domestic abuse including threats to kill and stab her.
Her repeated calls for help went unanswered, and both women were murdered in 2018.
The Law, named after her, now aims to better protect victims and potential victims of domestic violence and prevent tragic incidents.
The pilot scheme in this latest phase of the Law will introduce an IDVA within the control room to provide an additional layer of expertise when assessing domestic abuse-related calls.
DCS Brown said: "Having an independent domestic violence advisor within our control room in Bedfordshire will enable that extra risk assessment in order to truly understand exactly what is going on within that particular crime or report that’s come into the control room.
"What it will emphasise is the fact that that specialist will be able to provide some key pointers in terms of understanding what should be looked for, like, for example, research that needs to be conducted.
"If certain descriptors that are used within the call, maybe somebody is using certain language that may be a concern to the crime that's being reported, and it gives that extra layer of understanding to ensure that we are identifying risk and responding to it as quickly as possible."
While Bedfordshire Police has already been proactive in responding to domestic abuse incidents, DCS Brown acknowledged the need for continued improvements.
She said: "We realise that sometimes the most important step for a victim is making a phone call, and sometimes that phone call is to the police, and we need to be in a position where we are responding and catering for the needs of the victim or the witness that is calling the control room.
"I’m really pleased that Bedfordshire Police are a pilot force to enable us to give confidence to our communities that, should they wish to report domestic abuse to Bedfordshire Police, that we do take it extremely seriously and that we want to do all we can to ensure that we're giving the best possible service, but also looking to better our service even further around domestic abuse."
The pilot scheme will run for six months, with an initial three-month review to assess its impact.
It is set to begin immediately across the West Midlands, Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Humberside and Bedfordshire.