MORE than 20 investigations have been launched over allegations of honour-based violence and forced marriage in the Cambridge area in one year, it has been revealed.
The Cambridgeshire Constabulary was the second force in the country to launch a hotline for victims of the crime in 2007 and has since dealt with some harrowing incidents.
In one case, a young girl was removed against her will from one country to another and forced into marriage. She was rescued from the situation and made safe.
Another woman in an arranged marriage was mentally abused by her husband before she contacted the force. Officers helped her to flee with her children to a place of safety.
Force chiefs said honour-based crimes can be complex and often go unreported because some victims do not feel they can approach the police.
