The number of Bradford women seeking help from police to escape forced marriages has almost doubled in the last five years.

The figures were released as the city played host to a three-day national conference on the issue of forced marriages in the Asian community.

At a press conference at Bradford's Cedar Court Hotel, Foreign Office minister Baroness Scotland welcomed the rise in cases.

She said: "The increase is an important step. We want to break down barriers and taboos so that victims of violence and coercion feel able to report their experiences and seek help."

Police in Bradford have already developed links with officers in Pakistan to help men and women who find themselves in difficulty abroad.

Liaison officer Philip Balmforth, who is based at Toller Lane Police Station, dealt with 272 new referrals during 2000 - an 88 per cent increase on 1995 figures.

Many cases are reported to police initially as missing persons - either from the family of the woman or other agencies. Bradford Community and Race Relations Officer Inspector Martin Baines said: "These women often leave home to avoid an arranged marriage, because of domestic violence or because they are involved in relationships their families don't approve of.

"We treat such cases in a very similar manner and we are not in the business of dividing families.

"However, if the woman does not want her whereabouts to be disclosed and there are no legal grounds for doing so her wishes will be respected."

More than 60 delegates are expected to attend the conference, including representatives from the Foreign Office, Interpol, police, and National Criminal Intelligence Service.

Baroness Scotland said the aim of the event was to come up with a set of guidelines for police forces on how to deal with cases.