Make it a crime to abandon someone in immediate danger without seeking help
My sister Danielle died from asphyxiation during a domestic incident. She was locked in a property & died as result of being alone. There is currently no law requiring someone to take action when a life is at risk.
Signatures
30,549
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 30,549/100,000
- 17 FEB 2026Government respondedMinistry of JusticeGovernment reply
Currently, the Government has no plans to legislate to make it a crime for a person to leave someone on their own who may be vulnerable, in danger and in need help.
Read full response - 25 JAN 202610,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 22 DEC 2025Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Jonathan Haggerty
Background
This petition is inspired by Danielle Haggerty’s tragic death. Other countries have “duty to rescue” laws that protect vulnerable people and encourage intervention to save lives. Introducing a similar law in the UK would prevent future tragedies and ensure that anyone in immediate danger has someone legally required to try to save them so that no-one would ever be knowingly left alone to die.