FORCED marriages are totally wrong. They have rightly been condemned by leaders of Lancashire’s various ethnic communities.

There is a massive difference between forced marriages and arranged marriages, which have the consent of the parties involved.

And so it is concerning that police are dealing with more complaints than ever before.

Lancashire police’s public protection department says that it is receiving five inquiries a week about forced marriages.

Their decision to launch an operation ahead of the summer months, when the number of cases increases, is to be welcomed. Schools, doctors, teachers and police officers have all been given guidance on how to deal with forced marriages.

This should enable more people who find themselves in such a situation to get the help that they need.

The rise in the numbers of forced marriages could be down to the fact there are more agencies providing assistance.

But it also shows that it is a real problem as the people coming forward could just be the tip of the iceberg.

That is why it is so important that potential victims know help is available.

Hopefully, it will mean forced marriages become consigned to the past as they have no place in modern society.