If the Government is dithering about whether or not to make forced marriage a new criminal offence - and there are real concerns that it might not go ahead with a ban when it announces its decision in a few weeks - it should consider the situation in Bradford and district. The statistics make it plain that some strong action is needed.

For 2005 there were 144 incidents related to forced marriage reported to the police in the district, accounting for 80 per cent all such reported incidents in West Yorkshire. That is 144 young people who have been bullied or coerced by their families into marrying someone against their own wishes, and then forced to consummate that marriage - which critics claim is nothing short of rape.

There is an important difference between forced marriage and arranged marriage. As the actress Meera Syal said at the recent launch of a new campaign to highlight the issues surrounding forced marriage, that vast difference is summed by the one word: "consent". In an arranged marriage the two parties introduced by their families have the right of veto.

The campaign, which has the backing of Keighley MP Ann Cryer - who has waged a long and brave battle against forced marriage - seeks to make it clear that it is an abuse of human rights and a form of domestic violence.

The Government must bear all this in mind and go beyond merely helping the young people who are at risk with support and encouragement. It must give them the full backing of the law.