Forced marriages on the rise

One in 30 suspected forced marriages is leading to a conviction, new figures show.

In the past seven years, 8,170 cases of suspected forced marriages were identified by the UK government’s forced marriages unit. Of these, 395 have been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service since 2010 and 268 have been completed.

Over the same period, roughly 1,250 forced marriage protection orders were handed out to protect girls and women at risk, according to data obtained after a freedom of information request. Last year 246 were issued, up on 2015’s figure of 217.

Luton, Leicester, Manchester and Bradford were the UK forced marriage “hotspots” where the highest numbers of orders were issued.

About 80 per cent of cases saw girls and women forced into marriage, while the remainder involved males.

Alison Saunders, the director of public prosecutions, said last year that conviction rates were too low.

Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dems’ home affairs spokesman, said: “It is shocking that so many victims of forced marriages appear to be still slipping through the cracks. Thousands of young women and girls are effectively being abandoned by the government.

“We need urgent extra action to prevent another wave of forced marriages, including training teachers to spot the signs and ensuring victims know where to turn to get help.”

A government spokeswoman added: “We know there is more to do and will continue to work with the police, CPS and others to ensure perpetrators face justice for their crimes.”