In a case that sent shockwaves across Britain, the tragic murders of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem in 2018 exposed critical failings within police response to domestic abuse, prompting an extraordinary campaign for change by Khaola’s sister, Nour Norris. This harrowing incident, where a victim’s desperate pleas to authorities went unheeded despite numerous calls, underscored a systemic inadequacy that Nour vowed to rectify, ensuring no other individual would suffer a similar fate due to police oversight.
The night of the brutal killings saw Raneem Oudeh, 22, making thirteen chilling calls to police, including four 999 calls, begging for intervention as her violent ex, Janbaz Tarin, stalked and ultimately murdered her and her 49-year-old mother. In a horrifying twist, police were on the line during Raneem’s final desperate call, hearing the unfolding tragedy, an event that highlighted the severe deficiencies in their protocol and led to a formal apology after an inquest confirmed their errors contributed to the double homicide.
For six agonizing years, Nour Norris embarked on a tireless crusade, transforming her profound grief into a powerful force for advocacy and police accountability. Her relentless campaigning not only brought national attention to the gross inadequacies within the system designed to protect victims of domestic abuse but also successfully lobbied for tangible, positive reforms. Nour’s unwavering determination became the catalyst for a monumental shift in how emergency services respond to such critical incidents.
The culmination of Nour’s tireless efforts is “Raneem’s Law,” a groundbreaking domestic violence specialist police response now actively transforming operations at the West Midlands 999 control hub, the UK’s second-largest force. This pioneering initiative mandates that domestic abuse calls receive a specialized response, integrating expert advice into risk assessments and ensuring a faster, more effective intervention for victims, contrasting sharply with the fragmented approach that tragically failed Raneem.
At the heart of Raneem’s Law is the Vulnerability Desk, a dedicated unit within the 999 control room, now prioritizing domestic abuse cases. Call handlers, supported by domestic violence charities and specially trained as Domestic Abuse Liaison Officers, exhibit “professional curiosity” in identifying risks. This structured approach ensures that every domestic violence-related call, sometimes up to 200 daily, is filtered through this specialist desk, guaranteeing thorough risk assessments and immediate referrals to support services.
The tangible impact of Raneem’s Law is already evident in improved operational practices. A new mapping system allows police to link calls from different numbers or locations, creating a comprehensive record that prevents fragmented responses and ensures prior incidents are recognized. Mair Mason, Vulnerability Desk Lead, highlights how this integrated approach, coupled with live-time advice from charities, enables officers to respond proactively, ensuring victims receive urgent medical attention or immediate support when needed.
Raneem’s journey began with fleeing war-torn Syria in 2014, only to find herself trapped in a new kind of hell: a violent marriage in the UK. Despite securing a restraining order against her ex-husband, Janbaz Tarin, he continued to harass her relentlessly. Raneem made repeated calls to the police regarding his breaches, yet he was never arrested or cautioned, a lack of law enforcement action that tragically emboldened him, making Raneem believe, “They listen to me, so why are they going to believe you?”
Nour Norris recounts the devastating night of the murders with haunting clarity. Having visited Nour’s nearby home, Raneem and Khaola returned home despite Nour’s premonition that “something would happen.” Later, Nour received a call from her 14-year-old niece, who witnessed the attacks. Arriving at the scene, Nour found Khaola already gone, and Raneem, in an ambulance, could not be revived. “Why couldn’t they bring just one police car when they were alive? One police officer could have saved them,” Nour laments, a question that continues to echo.
Recognizing her profound contribution to preventing violence against women and girls, Nour Norris was rightly awarded an OBE. Beyond her advocacy for Raneem’s Law, she has retrained as a psychotherapist and leads domestic abuse training workshops through SecureLife, ensuring other lives are saved through improved victim support and police accountability. Her dream is to see Raneem’s Law universally embedded in every 999 control room, a powerful and enduring legacy born from unimaginable loss, ensuring no other victim is failed by the system again.
