City in focus over forced marriages

The three-day conference will bring together representatives from the Foreign Office, Interpol, campaign organisations and police forces in the UK and abroad.

Officers in Bradford have already developed strong links with their counterparts in Pakistan and their work will be used as a model of good practice.

Guest speakers at the conference, which starts tomorrow, include Foreign Office Minister Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC and Sir Herman Ouseley, one of the UK's leading experts on race relations.

Inspector Martin Baines, Bradford police race relations officer, said: "It is important to draw the distinction between arranged marriages and forced marriages.

"The Asian community recognises that forced marriages are unacceptable, whereas previously people were not willing to speak openly about the issue.

"This is the first time in the UK that police forces have joined together to draw up good practice guidelines.

"The conference is being held in Bradford in recognition of the pioneering links we have developed with the community and police on the Indian subcontinent."

The conference, at the city's Cedar Court Hotel, is the first stage of a three-year £250,000 Foreign Office project to develop links between British police and their counterparts in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

A Foreign Office spokesman said West Yorkshire Police were chosen to host the conference as officers in the county had probably dealt with more forced marriage cases than any other force in the country.

She added: "They have the expertise. The aim of the conference is to draw up best practice guidelines and build overseas links so there is a support network for victims."

Chief Superintendent Stuart Hyde of Eccleshill police said it was exciting to bring such a high level event to Bradford.

Supt Hyde said: "It demonstrates the good work undertaken here but equally we're hoping to learn from other forces that will be sharing their experiences."