Figures reveal that Bedfordshire has the third highest number of ‘honour’ crimes in the UK

BEDFORDSHIRE has the third highest number of ‘honour’ based violent crimes in the UK, a women’s rights charity has revealed.

Freedom of Information figures obtained by The Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) show that between 2010 and 2014, the county’s police force recorded 1,106 ‘honour’ crimes.

The data revealed 11,744 incidences of these crimes across 39 of the 52 police forces in the UK.

They are normally aimed at women and include forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), abductions, beatings and murders.

The acts are done in the name of protecting or defending the supposed honour or reputation of families and communities.

Diana Nammi, executive director of IKWRO, said: “The figures show that “honour” crimes remain consistently high, are happening across the country and that the issue is not going away.

“They demonstrate the extent of need from vulnerable women and girls for protection and support and positively, show that many have seen the light at the end of the tunnel and sort help.

“But unfortunately the figures do not even show the real extent of the problem.

“So many crimes are never reported because the perpetrators are the victim’s own families and/or community members, who often have convinced them that going to the police is shameful and they fear retribution.”